Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Saturday visited the scene of the petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, describing the incident as devastating and sad.
Reports said about 50 people were burnt to death, with others injured in their attempt to scoop petrol from the fallen petrol-laden tanker, which exploded in the process.
In a statement by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, on the incident, the NGF chairman expressed shock at the scale of the casualties and the magnitude of the burns suffered by the survivors.
“The Forum is saddened by the petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, in which dozens of people have been killed or injured,” according to the statement.
The Forum extended its heartfelt condolences to Governor Umar Bago of Niger State, the families who have lost loved ones, and our other compatriots who were injured in the explosion.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones in the incident, and we wish those injured a swift recovery.
“Again, we call on our compatriots to act with extreme caution and absolute respect for life at all times, especially in times of grave danger such as during a petrol spill.
“The Forum prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased victims,” the statement added.