Tanker explosion: Obi calls for implementation of safety measures as 73 die in Niger

Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Mr Peter Obi has called for implementation of measures that would end the recurring tanker explosion on the country.

Obi made the call in a statement on Sunday while reacting to the recent tragic incident along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, where several lives were lost on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that a truck loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol lost control and eventually caught fire, claiming at least 73 lives.

No fewer than 50 people were also critically injured in the incident.

Reacting, Obi lamented that tanker explosion has “sadly become increasingly recurrent in recent times”.

According to him, the recorded incidents “highlight the urgent need for the implementation of stricter safety measures to address the dangers of tanker explosions and similar incidents, which often result in colossal disasters”.

The former governor commiserated with the “families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy”.

“I also extend my condolences to the Government and people of Niger State over this devastating incident.

May God grant them, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this loss, eternal rest to the departed, and a swift recovery to the injured”, he added.