The Federal Government has directed the urgent evacuation of victims of the recent Suleja tanker explosion to tertiary medical centers to ensure they receive advanced medical attention. This directive was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a visit to Suleja, Niger State, on Sunday.
Idris led a high-powered Federal Government delegation, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, and heads of key agencies, to assess the situation firsthand and convey the government’s condolences to the people of Niger State.
President Tinubu Expresses Grief Over Incident
The Minister relayed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep sadness over the tragic incident at Dikko Junction, which has claimed several lives. Idris confirmed that the President has ordered the immediate transfer of critically injured victims to intensive care units at tertiary institutions for emergency treatment.
“We’ve visited the wards and seen those in critical condition. Sadly, one of the victims passed away during our visit, making this the eighth life lost in the explosion,” Idris said.
Government’s Swift Response and Planned Investigations
Idris commended the Niger State Government for its prompt response to the tragedy, particularly in providing emergency medical care. He highlighted the alarming statistics of tanker explosions, revealing that approximately 265 lives have been lost to such incidents in the past five months.
“The President has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the causes of these recurring tanker explosions and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences. This committee will include representatives from the Ministry of Information, Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other stakeholders such as NARTO, NUPENG, and IPMAN,” Idris explained.
Public Awareness Campaign to Prevent Future Incidents
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been tasked with intensifying public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians on the dangers of scooping fuel from accident tankers. The Minister condemned this dangerous practice, stressing its life-threatening consequences.
“Endangering lives by attempting to scoop fuel from accident sites is unacceptable. The Federal Government will ensure such incidents are minimized through proper education and enforcement of safety measures,” Idris stated.
Delegation’s Condolence Visits
The Federal Government delegation visited the Emir of Suleja, Alhaji Auwal Ibrahim, to express their condolences. They also met with victims at the Suleja General Hospital and inspected the explosion site.
The delegation included prominent figures such as the Directors General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Comrade Abdulhamid Dembos, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama.
The Federal Government’s swift intervention underscores its commitment to addressing the rising cases of tanker explosions across Nigeria. With a high-level committee in place and increased public awareness efforts, it aims to mitigate such tragedies and safeguard citizens.
