A tragic fuel truck explosion in Dikko, Niger State, has claimed 86 lives and left 55 others injured, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed on Sunday.

The incident occurred on Saturday when a petrol truck overturned and exploded, killing people who had gathered to scoop fuel from the wreckage. According to Abdullahi Baba-Ara, director-general of NSEMA, 80 victims were buried in a mass grave near the Dikko Primary Health Centre, while five bodies were taken away by relatives, and one person succumbed to injuries at the same health center.

This catastrophe comes in the wake of a similar incident in Jigawa State last October, where 147 lives were lost in another fuel tanker explosion.

The spike in fuel-related tragedies is attributed to rising fuel prices following the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023. President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms, which included ending the subsidy, have significantly increased fuel costs, prompting many to risk their lives in such dangerous situations to collect spilled fuel.

Authorities are urging citizens to avoid such practices and are calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent future disasters. Investigations into the Dikko explosion are ongoing.

This tragedy highlights the dire need for improved safety measures and economic relief to mitigate the risks associated with the current fuel crisis.