Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has extended condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the tragic explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at Dikko Junction, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
In a statement on Saturday, January 18, 2025, the minister described the incident, which resulted in the loss of lives and left several others injured, as a heartbreaking tragedy.
Scores of residents were burned to death, with many others sustaining varying degrees of injuries from the tanker explosion in Dikko Junction, Suleja LGA.
Lokpobiri expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, stating, “I am deeply saddened by this tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families.
“May the souls of the departed find eternal rest, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
He also wished for a swift and complete recovery for those injured.
The minister emphasised the need for enhanced safety measures to minimise such incidents and urged the public to exercise caution around petrol-laden tankers during emergencies.
“The risks are enormous, and lives are too precious to be lost unnecessarily,” he said.
Lokpobiri announced that he had directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the incident and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring safe petroleum transportation across the country.
He called for ongoing collaboration among relevant stakeholders to prevent similar tragedies, stressing the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring safety in petroleum distribution.
“This tragedy reminds us of the importance of collective responsibility.
“We must all work together, government, transport operators, and citizens to ensure that safety remains paramount in all aspects of petroleum distribution,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister assured the people of Niger State of his ministry’s support during this difficult time.
By Emmanuella Anokam
