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•Tinubu orders probe, priority treatment of victims, PDP hits APC
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD), yesterday disclosed that the death toll from Wednesday’s Karu multiple explosions has increased to 10.
Acting Director-General of the department, Mr. Abdulrahman Mohammed, made this known in Abuja.
The driver of a truck lost control around Karu bridge on his way to Nyanya on Abuja-Keffi Expressway and rammed into vehicles in a traffic jam leading to a massive explosion.
Mohammed said four victims were burnt beyond recognition, while one was taken dead from the scene of the incident, adding that another victim died at the hospital.
“This morning (yesterday) when I asked my officials to go round, they discovered that four others had died in the hospital, bringing the death toll to 10,” he said.
The director-general appealed to motorists to drive safely by adhering to traffic rules and regulations and desist from reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and poor vehicle maintenance.
Also, the Head, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, FEMD, Mr Mark Nyam, said eight bodies were deposited at the Karu Hospital morgue and one at Asokoro District Hospital Morgue.
Nyam added that another body was deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja.
He also said that more than 30 victims who suffered various degrees of burns were receiving treatment at various health facilities.
Reacting, President Bola Tinubu directed a thorough investigation into the tanker explosion and ordered priority treatment of the injured in various medical facilities in the capital city.
He further directed security agencies, particularly those concerned with road safety, to pay closer attention to traffic around the capital city’s entry and exit points.
Tinubu condoled with family members who lost loved ones in the inferno, which happened at the peak hour.
He prayed for the souls of the departed and the grace of the Almighty God to comfort families that have lost their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), in a statement by Debo Ologunagba, yesterday, said the Abuja incident adds to the increasing number of tanker explosions in different parts of the country, with the attendant losses in lives and property.
While commending the efforts of rescue teams including the FRSC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Fire Service and others, it blamed the incident on poor infrastructure under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“The Abuja explosion adds to the scary upsurge of disastrous incidents that have persistently befallen our country due the worsened state of infrastructure under the current insensitive and inept All Progressives Congress (APC) administration which continues to demonstrate utter disdain for the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
“This avoidable heartrending incident in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital sadly points to the general poor management of urban infrastructure and heightened insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory under the current APC government.
“Our Party is saddened that due to the misgovernance of the APC administration, innocent Nigerians continue to perish with families in peril, anguish and devastation over the death of their breadwinners and loved ones.
“The PDP calls on the Federal Government to institute a system-wide investigation into the Abuja explosion and similar incidents in other parts of the country and take urgent steps to ensure safer roads in our nation.
“Our Party prays to God to grant speedy recovery to the injured and divine comfort to the families of the deceased.”
