A fuel laden heavy-duty tanker on Sunday night exploded while offloading its content in a fuel station located at Hannun Riga, near General Hospital, Kontagora, headquarters of Kontagora Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
The fuel station was said to belong to a major marketer located a few metres from the ‘B’ Division of the Nigeria Police, Kontagora, in Kontagora Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses said the explosion occurred while Premium Motor Spirit, better known as petrol, was being offloaded from the tanker. The explosion was said to have caused a huge inferno.
It was learnt that while the fuel was being offloaded, other fuel storage tanks at the station were still containing fuel in the station, raising fears of a possible escalation of the disaster.
Confirming the incident on Monday, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kuma Tsukwam, noted that his men were able to nip the explosion and prevent human casualties.
“Yes, our people were able to nip it in the bud. It happened in the petrol station. They cordoned off the area, so there was no casualty.
“There was no casualty, but it burst into flames. I think this was their lack of safety measures and safety valves, but we were able to cordoned off the area.
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“It was inside the petrol station, and they drove all passersby and vehicles from entering the station. Yes, it happened.
“Our major concern was that there was no casualty. They must maintain their safety precautions; it is inevitable,” he said.
Efforts to get reaction from the Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullah Baba Arah were not successful as his telephone line did not connect.
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