Police attribute high death toll from the Jigawa explosion to fuel scooping activities

Jigawa Tanker Explosion: Police Blame Casualties on Public Greed

The Jigawa State Police Command has attributed the high number of casualties in Tuesday’s fuel tanker explosion to desperate attempts by local residents to scoop the spilled fuel.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu, stated that despite police efforts to cordon off the area and warn the public, people disregarded the warnings and rushed to collect the fuel. This reckless behavior led to a devastating explosion.

Shiisu added that the police struggled to control the scene as bystanders ignored warnings and moved dangerously close to the accident site. The tanker, loaded with petrol, ignited shortly after the crash, causing an inferno that engulfed numerous people in the vicinity.

The injured were immediately taken to General Hospital at Ringim, where medical personnel are working tirelessly to treat the victims. However, the death toll is expected to rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition.

The state Police Commissioner, AT Abdullahi, has expressed condolences to the residents of the state, particularly the people of Majiya town where the incident occurred.