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Rachel Okporu Fadoju
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A farmer, identified as Mustapha Majiya, has recounted the loss of nearly 50 members of his extended family to the Jigawa tanker explosion.
Naija News learnt that Majiya’s relatives were among the 181 casualties from the explosion that occurred last Tuesday along the Kano-Hadejia expressway in Taura LGA of Jigawa state.
The petrol-laden tanker crashed and burst into flames after the driver lost control at night.
The police spokesperson in Jigawa, Shi’isu Adam, said many of the victims were trying to scoop petrol from the vehicle after it tipped over.
Adam said the incident was worrying, given past numerous warnings against crowds gathering at accident scenes involving petrol tankers.
In an interview with BBC, Majiya said his nephews, who also died in the tragic incident, tried to steer people away from the scene but were unlucky.
According to him, the deceased were both in their fourth year at the town’s secondary school.
He said, “My nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17, were among those killed. They tried to stop people from getting too close to the tanker and scooping fuel before the explosion.
“I just bought them books and new uniforms for the term.”
The 50-year-old farmer said he also lost Jamilu Maigaji, a long-time friend and father of 13 children, in the inferno.
He added, “Some people were just onlookers and didn’t understand the dangers of being around the scene.”
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