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Niger State – A horrific tanker explosion has claimed the lives of seven people and left devastation in its wake, destroying precious farmlands. The tragedy struck on Tuesday around 6:30 pm in Karamin Rami village, within the Mashegu Local Government Area.
Eyewitness reports indicate that a tanker truck, struggling on a poorly maintained road, overturned. Its contents gushed onto the road and into a nearby stream, where local farmers were tending to their rice fields.
The spilled fuel mingled with a farmer’s water pump, igniting a catastrophic fire. The resulting tanker explosion sent shockwaves through the community.
The flames spread rapidly through the contaminated water, engulfing the farmland. Farmers were caught in the inferno, and the entire rice crop was decimated. Fruit trees, representing years of labor, were also consumed by the blaze.
Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, solemnly confirmed the incident on Friday. He identified the victims as Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahaman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A Nura. Their loss has deeply impacted the community.
Maimuna Isah, severely injured in the explosion, is currently receiving urgent medical care at Saho Rami Primary Health Care, according to Baba-Arah. The community is rallying around her, hoping for a swift recovery.
A Recurring Nightmare: Past Explosions Haunt the Region
Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. A similar tanker explosion occurred on January 18, 2025, in Suleja. That devastating event led to over 100 deaths and 69 injuries, leaving a lasting scar on the region. The latest explosion serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable communities.
