Kehinde Fajobi
A fuel-laden tanker exploded on Tuesday evening at Kusogbogi, a boundary between Agaie and Lapai Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Niger State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker, attempting to overtake another truck, lost control and overturned before catching fire. A resident of Lapai, Mallam Mahmud Abubakar, said, “The tanker fell and engulfed in fire while trying to overtake another truck.”
He noted that this was the second tanker explosion at the same spot within a week. “Last week, another tanker exploded here after ramming into a stationary truck parked by the roadside. Both vehicles were completely burnt,” Abubakar added.
While Tuesday’s incident resulted in no casualties, a previous explosion over a week ago at Dikko in Gurara LGA claimed at least 98 lives.
Many residents had gathered to collect spilled fuel when it ignited, leading to a massive blast.
Following that tragedy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the transfer of 20 severely injured victims to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital for advanced care.