NSIB commences investigation into Jigawa explosion

By Chinelo Obogo

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has said it is aware of the tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred in Majia town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, on Tuesday, October 16, which claimed over 150 lives and left many severely injured.

According to reports, the incident happened around 11 pm on Tuesday when a petrol tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control and crashed, spilling its contents. As residents gathered to scoop the fuel, the tanker exploded, resulting in a massive inferno.

Reacting to the incident in a statement, the Director General of the Bureau, Capt. Alex Badeh, said, “In line with our mandate to investigate accidents across all transportation sectors, the NSIB has deployed a go-team of experts to investigate the accident. The team will assess the circumstances surrounding the crash and the explosion to identify causal factors and provide safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this devastating accident. The NSIB is committed to uncovering the cause of the explosion and ensuring that safety lessons are learned. Further updates on the investigation will be communicated as the NSIB team gathers and analyses evidence from the scene. In the meantime, citizens are reminded of the grave danger.”