GOVERNOR Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has disclosed that about 181 people were killed in the tanker explosion that happened in the state last week.
He said while 80 persons were still in the hospitals, a total of 210 families were affected explosion that happened on October 15.
The governor gave the Update when he visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday.
A truck carrying petrol from Kano to Nguru in Yobe State, exploded in Majia, located in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa.
Addressing State House Correspondents after visiting the President, Governor Namadi said the state government had already put in place a high powered committee under a retired Deputy Inspector General, DIG to unravel what actually transpired.
Asked whether the State government would prosecute anyone found wanting, the governor stated that it will depend on the outcome of the committee report.
Giving an update, the Governor said, “The situation as at today is that we have about 181 people that died and about 80 people in the hospitals and about 210 families affected.
“The Jigawa State Government has taken care of the bills of all the affected people and we have done a lot of interventions to the families to ensure that they continue with their lives. Also the President has promised to intervene and assist the victims.
“The state Government has already established a high powered committee under the Chairmanship of a retired DIG to investigate the remote cause of what happened and advise the government on what to do. Also the President has given a directive to the Corp Marshall to immediately investigate the matter and come up with a permanent solution to this problem in the country.”
The Governor also said he came to see the President to welcome him back from his annual leave and also brief him about the tragic tanker accident.
“So I felt it is important to come and brief the President, on what happened and what we are doing as a government and also thank him for sending a delegation immediately to the State after the incident.
“The action taken by the president was really appreciated by the people of Jigawa State and I feel it is right to come and thank him for that and to brief him about the situation, about where we are and what we are trying to do.”
