The Labour party (LP) presidential candidate for 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has described the loss of lives and livelihood in the Niger and Oyo states tanker explosion as painful.
Obi, said the Niger explosion coming barely 24 hours after that of Oyo was disheartening.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, the former governor commiserated with the people and governments of both states and commended safety and emergency agencies who worked to contain the fire.
He said, “I have just read the disheartening reports of the deadly tanker explosion which occurred today at Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State where no fewer than 30 human lives were lost and about 50 cattle burnt.
“This unfortunate incident occurred less than 24 hours after a similar tanker explosion caused serious damages in Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Saturday. I am pained by the loss of human lives, and other means of livelihood in the two tragic events.
“I thank the safety and emergency agencies that arrived at the scene for search and rescue operations. I sincerely condole with all the affected families who lost their loved ones to this tragedy. I equally commiserate with the government and people of Niger and Oyo States over this tragic occurrence. May God comfort them, and all of us, who share in the pains of these sad incidents in our nation.
“I pray God Almighty to forgive the sins of the dead and grant them eternal rest, and grant quick and full recovery to the injured.”
Reports revealed that no fewer than 48 persons have been given mass burial after a petrol tanker explosion in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred in the early morning of Sunday when the petrol tanker had a head-on collision with a trailer truck loaded with travellers and cattle from Wudil in Kano State.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba-Arab, who gave the update on Sunday, also confirmed that 48 persons whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition had been given mass burial in the local government.
According to him, following further search and rescue operations 18 more bodies were recovered from the 30 bodies earlier reported.
