Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has turned a personal visit to the site of the devastating petrol tanker explosion in Suleja, Niger State, into a clarion call for urgent safety reforms.
The incident, which claimed over 100 lives and left more than 50 injured, has highlighted critical infrastructural and governance gaps in Nigeria.
In an emotionally charged visit, Obi inspected the explosion site, visited survivors in the hospital, and paid respects at the graveyard where 80 victims were buried.
He described the tragedy as preventable and reiterated the need for better road infrastructure, stringent tanker operation regulations, robust healthcare, and poverty alleviation measures.
Meeting with the Sarkin Dikko and his council, Obi expressed condolences and vowed to continue advocating for policies that prioritize the safety and welfare of Nigerians.
He stressed that governance must protect lives through proactive and strategic planning.
Obi’s visit sheds light on the urgency of addressing systemic challenges to ensure such tragedies never recur, leaving many hopeful for transformative action.

***Death toll now 100
The devastating tanker explosion at Dikko Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, which has now claimed 100 lives, left survivors recounting harrowing tales of the ordeal. Witnesses described the moments leading to the tragedy, with many highlighting the chaos that ensued as people scrambled to safety.

According to residents near the junction, the tanker had appeared unstable before it overturned and erupted into flames. “We saw the fire spreading so fast; people were running in all directions. It was terrifying,” said Usman Adamu, a shop owner at the scene.

A survivor, Aminu Yakubu, who sustained minor burns, described how he barely escaped the inferno. “I was waiting to board a bus when the explosion happened. I ran as fast as I could, but the heat and smoke were everywhere.”

Local community members have also voiced frustration over recurring tanker accidents in the area, citing poor road conditions and the negligence of some drivers. “This is not the first time we’ve had such an incident here. We need stricter safety regulations and better roads to avoid more lives being lost,” said Grace Okeke, a community leader.

Emergency response teams continue to work tirelessly, with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) assuring the public that victims are receiving necessary medical attention. However, critics argue that quicker response times and proactive safety measures could have mitigated the impact of the explosion.

As families mourn their loved ones and survivors recount their stories, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety protocols on Nigeria’s highways.

The Northern Senators Forum has condemned the petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction in Niger State on January 18, 2025, describing it as a preventable disaster that underscores systemic failures in road safety enforcement.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sen. Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the Forum expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and injuries sustained in the incident.
They criticized the apparent lapses in ensuring the roadworthiness of tankers and heavy-duty vehicles, which they said contributed to the calamity.
“This tragedy reflects a broader issue of inadequate safety enforcement on our roads,” the statement read. The Forum called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other agencies to intensify efforts in regulating and inspecting tankers and trucks to prevent avoidable accidents.
The Senators also decried the dangerous practice of fuel scooping by locals at accident sites, urging Nigerians to prioritize safety over economic desperation in such situations.
In addition to urging stricter road safety protocols, the Forum emphasized the importance of policy reforms to mitigate risks associated with transporting hazardous materials. Sen. Yar’adua pledged that the Forum would work toward legislative interventions to enhance road safety standards and emergency response systems.
The explosion, which claimed numerous lives and caused significant damage, has reignited concerns about the recurring nature of such tragedies in Nigeria.
The Senators offered their condolences to the victims’ families and called for a collective effort to ensure that such a disaster does not happen again.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss. It is both unacceptable and preventable. We stand with the victims’ families and will pursue measures to guarantee safer roads for all Nigerians,” Yar’adua stated.
The incident has spurred calls from civil society organizations and citizens for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s transportation sector. Advocates stress the need for regular vehicle inspections, stricter penalties for non-compliance, and public education on the dangers of fuel scooping.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for a robust, collective approach to road safety, ensuring that such calamities become a thing of the past.