A tragic tanker explosion that recently occurred in Diko community, located in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four people, including two children of Alhaji Hamza Badamasi, a 55-year-old businessman. The explosion also resulted in the destruction of goods worth over N4 million in one of his shops situated close to the scene.
In a heart-wrenching interview with The Nigerian Daily, Badamasi recounts how he narrowly escaped the explosion and shares the pain of losing both his children and two relatives in the tragic event.
The Fateful Day
Badamasi, who is originally from Karaye in Kano State, but has lived in Diko for several years, was running errands on the morning of January 18, 2025, when the accident occurred. He explained that he had gone to open one of his shops to assist a friend, who kept his welding machine and other tools there for safekeeping. It was around 8:00 a.m. when the incident took place.
“I was on the phone in front of my shop when I heard a loud crash,” he recalls. The explosion occurred when a tanker, which was coming from the Maje-NNPC depot towards Kaduna Road, lost control and crashed. The fully-loaded tanker began leaking petrol, filling the area with a strong and unbearable smell.
Badamasi was quick to recognize the danger. “I could not bear the offensive odor of the leaking fuel,” he says. He moved away from the vicinity of the shop and attempted to warn others who were recklessly scooping the leaking fuel into containers.
“Some of my neighbors ran into my shop looking for containers to scoop the fuel. I tried to warn them, but they ignored me,” he continues. Badamasi even found himself in a difficult situation with his own son, who had joined others in the dangerous act of gathering the leaking fuel. “I had to discipline him for disobeying my warning, but I was forced to leave the area shortly afterward because the smell was unbearable,” Badamasi explained.
However, it was too late. After he left the scene, his son Saidu, along with two other relatives, continued to scoop the leaking fuel. Moments later, a massive explosion rocked the area, killing Badamasi’s two children, his two relatives, and several others who were close to the tanker.
The Tragic Loss
The explosion claimed the lives of Badamasi’s two children, Isah (25 years old) and Usman (24 years old), as well as two of his relatives, Saidu (35 years old) and Jemilu (30 years old).
“I lost two of my children, and two of my nephews also perished in that explosion,” Badamasi says, his voice filled with sorrow. “They were all caught off guard when the explosion occurred. The heat from the blast was so intense that it caused serious burns, and they died instantly.”
The explosion not only claimed lives but also destroyed the businessman’s property. His shop, located near the explosion site, was completely burned down, and goods worth over N4 million were lost. These goods included a variety of items such as leather shoes, slippers, used vehicle engines, and aluminum materials.
“I had invested so much in that shop, and I’ve lost everything. It is devastating,” Badamasi says, his eyes welling with tears. He explained that he is still grappling with the immense loss, not only of his children but also the livelihood that the goods represented.
A Call for Government Support
In the aftermath of the explosion, Badamasi is calling on the government and relevant authorities to provide assistance to the victims’ families. “I have lost my children and two of my nephews, and I am left with nothing. My shop was completely destroyed, and I am left with nothing but memories,” he says. “The government should help us, especially in these difficult times. Financial assistance would go a long way in helping the affected families cope with the loss and rebuild their lives.”
Badamasi, who is still in shock over the events that unfolded, is hoping that the government will provide compensation to the victims and their families, as well as investigate the circumstances that led to the explosion.
“I want to see justice for my children and relatives who lost their lives. The people who were involved in this reckless act of scooping fuel from the tanker should also be held accountable for their actions,” Badamasi urges.
The explosion has left not only Badamasi and his family in mourning but also the entire Diko community, which is still reeling from the loss of several lives and the destruction caused by the explosion. Residents of the area are now calling for stricter regulations on the transportation of dangerous materials like fuel, especially in residential areas.
Background of the Incident
The tanker explosion occurred in Diko, a community in Gurara Local Government Area, which is known for being a transit point for trucks carrying goods to different parts of Nigeria. Tankers and other heavy-duty vehicles frequently pass through the area, with some of them transporting highly flammable substances like petrol.
According to reports, the tanker involved in the explosion had been involved in a crash before it started leaking fuel. It is believed that the driver had gone to hire another tanker to offload the fuel in an attempt to save the haulage. This practice of transferring fuel from one tanker to another is common among some truck drivers, who seek to reduce their operational costs. However, such actions are extremely dangerous, especially when done in busy areas.
Unfortunately, the efforts to transfer the fuel were unsuccessful, and the tanker began leaking. The leaking fuel created a hazardous environment that ultimately led to the explosion. While many residents were involved in trying to scoop the leaking fuel, they were unaware of the grave danger that awaited them.
