The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, October 15, when a petrol tanker travelling from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State exploded in Majia, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State. The explosion, triggered by the tanker’s fall, caused the immediate death of over a hundred people, while many others sustained injuries while scooping fuel. Majia, an agricultural community in Jigawa known for its economic activities, had never witnessed such a catastrophe.
Jabir Abdullahi Majia, a local resident, shared his sorrow with Daily Trust, saying, “People who lost their loved ones are still grieving as the death toll keeps rising. I work at Adams Science Tahfizul Quran, and the truck fell right in front of our school gate. People are still mourning today.” He added that the event has left an indelible mark on the community, as nearly every family has suffered a loss.
Mustapha Abdullahi Majia revealed the devastating impact on his family. “It was a horrific situation we had never experienced before in this town. My family lost about 52 blood relatives,” he said. Another resident, Adamu Lawan Majia, echoed similar sentiments, estimating the death toll at around 180. He explained that 104 people died at the scene, with others passing away after being taken to hospitals for treatment.
Reflecting on the lessons from the tragedy, Lawan emphasized the importance of public education about the dangers of scooping petrol. He noted that most of the victims were young people, while older members of the community likely understood the risks. “We have learned a lot from this, and we will never forget this day. Even for those too young to understand, the story will be passed down to prevent future occurrences,” Lawan said.
Survivor Uzairu Musa Mainama recounted his narrow escape. “I got to the scene, and within three minutes, the fire started. I remember the flames pushing me back. I quickly took off my burning shirt and rushed to the clinic. Over 100 of us were injured, and I was later transferred to General Hospital Hadejia and then Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital,” he recalled.
Efforts to reach Jigawa Police spokesperson SP Lawan Shisu and the state’s Commissioner for Information, Sagir Muhammad, for updated casualty figures were unsuccessful. Their phone lines remained unreachable, and they had not responded to text messages by the time of this report.
Northern Governors Contribute N950m to Support Victims
In response to the disaster, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has pledged N950 million to aid the victims, their families, and survivors of the tanker explosion. Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who chairs the forum, announced the donation while leading a delegation of northern governors to offer condolences to the Jigawa State government and its people.
A statement from his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, explained that the financial contribution was intended to help ease the suffering caused by the explosion and support the state government’s recovery efforts. Governor Yahaya expressed his sorrow over the loss of so many young lives, acknowledging the potential many victims had to contribute to leadership and nation-building.
He encouraged the people of Jigawa to remain strong and united during this difficult period, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their families to cope with the overwhelming loss.
In response, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi expressed deep gratitude for the solidarity and financial support from the northern governors. He noted that the funds would provide much-needed relief to the survivors and the families of the victims.
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