A tragic petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa State, claimed the lives of over 90 people and left 50 others hospitalized in a devastating incident early Wednesday morning.

The explosion occurred around 12:30 AM when the tanker, en route from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, lost control near Khadija University, Majiya. According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Jigawa State Command, DSP Lawan Adam, the tragedy unfolded as residents rushed to collect spilt petrol from the overturned tanker.

"The residents were scooping fuel when the tanker exploded, igniting a massive inferno that claimed 94 lives instantly," DSP Adam explained. He added that 50 others, suffering severe burns, were rushed to Ringim and Hadejia General Hospitals for urgent medical care.

Authorities began mass burials for the victims on Wednesday morning, with the entire community engulfed in mourning. DSP Adam called the incident a "horrific tragedy" and warned about the dangers of collecting fuel from accident scenes.

Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, AT Abdullahi, expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people of the state. "This is a heartbreaking moment for us all," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this tragedy."

The commissioner stressed the need for increased public awareness about the dangers of petrol explosions and urged residents to report such incidents to authorities rather than putting themselves at risk.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many struggling to save those trapped in the flames. One resident, Sani Umar, who narrowly escaped, recounted the horror: "It was terrifying. People were running in all directions, screaming for help. The fire spread so quickly that many couldn’t escape."

Authorities have called for greater caution and safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.