Jigawa tanker explosion: Death toll rises to 209

The death toll has risen to 209 lives lost to the Majia town tanker explosion that happened in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Chairman of the investigative committee, DIG Hafiz M. Inuwa (retd), disclosed these findings during the formal presentation of the committee’s report to Governor Umar Namadi.

He said the tragedy, which also left 38 individuals hospitalised and caused significant property damage, affected 167 families.

The investigation committee was launched a week after the incident and aimed to uncover the causes of the fire, assess the damage, and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.

The report attributed the disaster to a combination of factors, including damaged speed-breakers and potholes near the scene, night driving, excessive speed, and unsafe practices by individuals scooping spilled fuel.

The resulting inferno was reportedly ignited by friction between metallic containers and hard surfaces.

The committee’s recommendations highlighted the urgent need for structural, systemic, and social reforms such as regular inspections and strict enforcement of safety protocols for petroleum transport and articulated vehicles; upgrading emergency response centres and establishing trauma and burn units in state health facilities; creation of a dedicated road traffic management agency to enforce road safety rules and minimise accidents; implementation of sustainable empowerment programs in Majia, including farm mechanization, irrigation projects, and skills acquisition initiatives, and enrolment of vulnerable victims into the state’s Danmodi Care Programme and provision of additional support for the elderly and disadvantaged families.