The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has called for an urgent action to prevent the recurrence of the explosion of tankers conveying petroleum products across Nigeria.
The call is contained in a statement issued by its Secretary General , Prof. Khalid Aliyu in Kaduna on Sunday.
The association also bemoaned the devastating tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction in Niger, resulting in the massive loss of numerous lives and properties.
Aliyu said , ” The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has received the sad news of unfortunate tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Niger with utmost concern and shock.”
He said the gory incident was an addition to the series of many others of such obnoxious explosions in recent times.
Aliiyu added, “It is so unfortunate that tankers conveying petroleum products are now sources of disastrous road accidents, with agonising loss of lives and property in Nigeria.
“The Dikko junction incident is too many a tragedy to be waived, taking into account that the junction is on a major highway connecting Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West to Southern Nigeria.
“More so, same episodes had occurred in the most recent past in Jigawa twice.”
He said the unfortunate Oct. 15. 2024, fuel tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa,was said to have claimed over 200 persons, injuring many.
Also, on Nov. 12, 2024, another tanker exploded at Gamoji, along h Kano-Maiduguri Highway, claiming many lives.
Aloyu added that a similar tragedy occurred on January 14, at Epe-Ijebu Odeyemi Expressway.
”Sometime in 2023, at Iganmu Bridge, Lagos State, many vehicles were destroyed and lives lost, arising from a petroleum tanker explosion.
“JNI is genuinely worried over the serial explosions from petroleum tankers, without any seeming efforts by the relevant stakeholders to address the misnomer,” he lamented.
The JNI called on the governments to take immediate action to prevent future tragedies, including taking control of dangerous bends, sharp curves and parking lots prone to accidents.
According to Aliyu, other actions are establishing FRSC emergency detachments and Federal Fire Service offices with the state-of-the-art equipment.
He added, ”There is also the need to review the extant safety protocols guiding fuel transportation and enhancing surveillance on the explosion-prone highways.
“Nigerians should always avoid explosion-prone areas to reduce casualty, no matter the temptation for assumed loot, no life is worth losing carelessly. “
Aliyu also called on the relevant transport and road unions to begin sensitising their members on the dangers associated with reckless driving.
“This is especially one-way driving, which has now become too common on the Nigerian highways and they should always cooperate with the security agencies on the highways;
“Governments at all levels, in collaboration with the different security agencies should be up and doing against the recklessness of all drivers plying major highways.
”This is most especially the tanker drivers, as desperate situations need desperate measures,
“Governments should act beyond mere verbal condemnations on related matters.
”Nigerians are desirous of more concrete actions against all forms of unfortunate incidences, criminals and criminality, “he said.
The don called on the Federal Government to review the safety protocols guiding fuel transportation in Nigeria.
He stated that the repeated explosions call for a serious review, while surveillance should maximally be accorded to explosion-prone highways.
Aliyu also appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action in completing the 40-km Suleja to Minna dual carriageway connecting Abuja and Niger.
He said that the project has been ongoing for over 20 years, saying, ” completing it will ease the movement of goods and services as well as save lives.
“The Sultan of Sokoto prayed for the departed souls, seeking Allah’s infinite mercy and solace for the bereaved families.
