Jigawa tanker fire: Death toll rises to 181, 80 still hospitalised

By Egena Sunday Ode

No fewer that 181 lives have so far perished in last week’s tanker explosion in Jigawa State, while over 80 persons are still receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.
Governor Umar Namadi conformed this on Tuesday in an interview with newsmen after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Well the situation as at today is that we have about 181 people that died and about 80 people in the hospital and about 210 families affected by this,” the governor stated.
He also disclosed that the state government has taken care of the medical bills of all the affected people, in addition to other interventions to the families in order to ensure that their means of livelihood are sustained.
On steps being taken to mitigate the ugly situation and prevent future occurrence, the governor said: “One is that the state government has already established a high powered committee under the chairmanship of retired DIG to investigate the remote causes of that and then advise the government on what to do.
“Also, you should remember that Mr. President has given a directive immediately to the corps marshal that he should investigate this matter, and he should come up with a permanent solution to this problem in this country.”
Accordong to the governor, he was at the State House to thank the President on behalf of the state for his intervention in the disaster.
“I came to see Mr President, first of all to welcome him back from his annual leave and secondly , to brief him on what happened to us, the tragic incident that happened in Jigawa state which claimed a lot of lives so we felt it is important to come and brief Mr President on what we are doing as a governement and also to thank him for sending a delegation immediately this incident happened.
“This action taken by Mr President has been appreciated by the people of Jigawa state so I came to thank him for doing that and also to brief him so far the situation where we are and what we are trying to do.”