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PDP, Obi Mourn Victims of Niger Tanker Explosion, Calls for Inquest

•FG transfers 20 victims to Gwagwalada specialist hospital
Chuks Okocha and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday mourned and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the2023 general election, Peter Obi, yesterday, mourned the tragic petrol tanker explosion that claimed over 85 Nigerians with many injured at Dikko Junction along Dikko-Maje Minna Road in Niger State on Saturday.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said, ”This recent disaster adds to the ugly wave of tragic occurrences that have befallen our dear nation due to the deplorable state of infrastructure and disorienting economic hardship occasioned by the gross neglect of the wellbeing of the citizens since the inception of the APC in government.
”It is indeed disheartening that Nigerians especially our youths and bread winners of homes continue to die on the highways and bear ugly scars as victims of the unspeakable misgovernance of the APC.”
The PDP called on the federal government not to stop only at investigating the remote and immediate causes of this and similar incidents in the recent time but, most importantly take immediate steps to address the situation that led to the sad occurrences.
Obi, in his reaction, called for stricter safety measures to avert the persisting accident.
Writing on X, Obi condoled the bereaved families and prayed for quick recovery of the injured.
“The tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred along Dikko-Maje Road in the Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State yesterday is truly heartbreaking. Reports indicate that over 70 lives were lost, while more than 50 people were injured in the incident.
“These accidents, which have sadly become increasingly recurrent in recent times, highlight the urgent need for the implementation of stricter safety measures to address the dangers of tanker explosions and similar incidents, which often result in colossal disasters.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has transferred 20 victims of the tanker explosion to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital in Abuja for better medical attention which was ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement yesterday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, said two additional patients had been transferred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
It added that the patients were accompanied by a nurse and family members to the designated referral centres to ensure seamless care.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation said it would continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely updates to Nigerians.
In a related development, the Niger State Government has expressed gratitude to the federal government for its prompt and effective response to this unfortunate incident.