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Fire kills 94 people after fuel tanker crash in Nigeria

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8 months ago

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Afuel tanker exploded overnight in northern Nigeria as it was surrounded by a crowd of people who had rushed to the scene of an accident to collect leaking petrol.

At least 94 people were burnt to death as fire engulfed the overturned vehicle, which had crashed, the police told the BBC.

Fifty others injured in the explosion have been taken to hospital in the nearby town of Ringim in Jigawa state and are in a critical condition.

Officers had warned people not to approach the tanker after the accident late on Tuesday night, but they were unable to contain the growing crowd, police spokesman Lawal Shiisu Adam said.

“We tried our best to stop people going to the vehicle to get petrol but despite cordoning the area we were overpowered and as people were scooping fuel, fire erupted,” he told the BBC.

The crash happened in the town of Majia in the northern state of Jigawa at around 23:30 local time (22:30 GMT), he said.

“The fuel tanker was coming from Kano and heading to Nguru in Yobe state when the driver lost control of the vehicle.”

The driver, who was not injured, has been taken into custody while the police conduct an investigation.

A distressing video has been shared on social media showing the moments after the fire erupted.

“Fire service and other emergency units rushed to the scene to help after the incident,” Mr Adam said.

Many of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. The bodies have been covered by tree branches to shield them from onlookers.

A mass burial was planned for later on Wednesday, Mr Adam said.

Fuel tanker explosions and accidents are common in Nigeria – often caused by the poor state of roads and badly maintained vehicles.

In September, 59 people died in Nigeria’s Niger state after a fuel tanker collided with a lorry carrying passengers and cattle.

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Wanted Bandits Kingpin, Ado Aleru Holds ‘Peace Meeting’ With Katsina Communities, Nigerian Army Officers

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5 hours ago

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June 15, 2025

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Despite his status as a fugitive, Aleru was seen actively participating in the discussions and addressing the gathering.

The notorious bandits kingpin, Ado Aleru, who remains on the wanted list of Nigerian security forces, has again surfaced publicly — this time leading a peace meeting in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The parley, aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence between Fulani herders and other communities, was attended by personnel of the Nigerian Army, community leaders, and several bandit groups, including Aleru’s faction.

Despite his status as a fugitive, Aleru was seen actively participating in the discussions and addressing the gathering.

A peace meeting was held with bandits in Danmusa Local Government Area, where Ado Aleru, who has been declared highly wanted, was seen giving a speech about measures to be taken between the Fulani and other communities to ensure peaceful coexistence.

This isn’t the first time Ado Aleru is seen holding peace talks with communities and the government but he will again be seen attacking innocent communities.

Same Ado Aleru was conferred with a Traditional Title in Zamfara during Bello Matawalle’s administration who is also the current Minister of State for Defence.

A peace parley was held between residents of Dan-Musa and bandits in Dan-Musa LGA, Katsina State.

Attendees included Nigerian Army, community leaders and several bandits groups including notorious leader Ado Aleru.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had reported in July 2022 that Ada Aleru was declared wanted by the Katsina State Police Command in 2019 with a bounty of N5million put on his head.

He was the arrowhead of a deadly raid on Kadisau, a community in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where about 52 people were killed.

Deadly attacks have raged across Zamfara state where bandits have thrived.

In 2019, the state government signed a peace agreement with the gunmen.

About 15 brand new Hilux vehicles and cash gifts were also given to leaders of different ‘repentant’ gangs of bandits by the governor in 2020.

But despite all these, communities in the state are still being attacked and residents kidnapped and/or killed.

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Several Houses Destroyed, One Person Injured In Another Flooding In Niger State Communities

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5 hours ago

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June 15, 2025

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SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the affected communities — Manmusa Kodogi, Efuliman Nasara, Emiyagi, and Tako Malam Halidu — were hit hard by the torrential rainfall, which led to flash floods, collapsed buildings and widespread destruction of property.

Several houses have been destroyed and one person severely injured as a midnight flood ravaged four communities in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State following a heavy downpour that began late Friday, 13 June, and continued into the early hours of Saturday.

SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the affected communities — Manmusa Kodogi, Efuliman Nasara, Emiyagi, and Tako Malam Halidu — were hit hard by the torrential rainfall, which led to flash floods, collapsed buildings and widespread destruction of property.

SaharaReporters had lesrnt that though no fatalities were recorded, the flood left behind a trail of damage, displacing residents and leaving one victim with serious injuries.

The injured person is currently receiving treatment at a local health facility.

Confirming the development to SaharaReporters, the acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Ibrahim, said: “There are reports [of] several flash-flood [incidents] across Niger State as a result of [the] heavy downpour that happened between yesterday night and this morning.”

He added: “My teams are on ground to ascertain the damages.”

Officials of NSEMA have since been deployed to the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate emergency response for affected residents.

SaharaReporters earlier on Saturday exclusively reported that Niger State community, Kpautagi, located in the Mokwa area of the state, has been hit by fresh flooding.

A verified video obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday showed that the community became flooded after a heavy rainfall which occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 14.

Residents affected by the development stated that the torrential rainfall lasted through the night into the next morning.

They cannot yet confirm the number of casualties or the extent of damage.

SaharaReporters earlier reported flooding in the Mokwa area of Niger State which led to the loss of over 200 lives.

The incident also led to the displacement of thousands of persons.

Eyewitnesses had described a harrowing scene on Thursday morning as bodies were seen in various parts of the town.

Many families have been displaced, while others continue to search for missing loved ones.

SaharaReporters’ earlier review of the budget performance documents for Niger State showed that a sum of N5.7 billion was spent on honorarium and sitting allowances by the state between January 2024 and March 2025.

The state, however, spent less on erosion and flood control during the same period.

In 2024, honorarium and sitting allowances gulped N4.813 billion, while between January and March 2025, N949.2 million was spent on the same purpose. In total, the state spent N5.762 billion on honorarium and sitting allowances between January 2024 and March 2025.

 

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Youth allegedly attack Hisbah office in Katsina over forceful haircuts

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8 hours ago

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June 14, 2025

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Tension heightened within the Tandama community of Danja Local Government Area of Katsina state following a clash between some youths and the officials of the Hisbah Corps which resulted in injuries to several officials.

According to security expert, Zagazola Makama on his X platform, the event took place approximately at 6:10pm of June 13 when officials of the Hisbah confronted a group of youths for a haircut, which was considered immodest according to Islamic moral values. The situation escalated quickly to violence as the group of youths tried to invade the Hisbah office in protest.

Several of the Hisbah officials were wounded and rushed to the Danja General Hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, The Katsina State Police Command is currently investigating the incident.

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