UPDATE: 86 BURIED AFTER NIGER TANKER EXPLOSION

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A total of 86 bodies have been recovered and buried following a tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this on Sunday.

He revealed that 80 victims were buried in a mass grave at the Dikko Primary Health Care premises, adding that five were claimed by relatives for private burial, and one victim died at the healthcare center.

The explosion occurred when a tanker transporting fuel from Kaduna to Gwagwalada overturned at the junction, spilling its contents.

Despite warnings to stay away, residents flocked to the scene to scoop fuel.

The tanker exploded, resulting in widespread casualties, injuries, and the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

The mass burial, organized by NSEMA in collaboration with Gurara local government officials and volunteers, lasted from 5 p.m. to midnight.

According to Arah, 55 individuals sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving medical treatment.