Shi’isu Adam, spokesperson of the Jigawa police command,
said the resulting inferno left 50 others with varying degrees of injuries.
Adam said most of the victims were trying to scoop petrol
from the tanker after it tipped over.
“At about 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Majia Town, Taura local
government area of Jigawa, the tanker driver lost control near Khadija
University and it exploded,” he said.
“The driver left Kano
and was heading to Nguru in Yobe when the accident happened.
“We are worried that in spite of police warning for people
to steer clear from scenes of accidents involving fuel tankers, they still
engage in such acts.
“People gathered around the accident scene. That is the
reason for the mass casualty.”
The spokesperson added that a mass burial has been scheduled
for 9am on Wednesday, while the injured are receiving treatment at Ringim
General Hospital.