Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying the Dikko Bridge, following the fatal tanker explosion on Saturday.

The governor who visited the scene of the explosion directed that vehicles coming from the Maje axis should instead pass under the bridge and take a u-turn.

He expressed sadness over the loss of lives, describing the incident as pathetic and thanked God that the tragic incident did not extend to the adjoining communities.

Bago called on the Federal Government to expedite action to complete the Minna-Suleja road as the delay in the road project is contributing to the continuous loss of many lives.

He urged the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area to ensure the enforcement of the directive, while calling on all relevant transport unions to cooperate with the corps.

The governor thanked the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, fire service, FRSC, Union of Road Transport (NURT) among other agencies that have contributed to the evacuation of victims.

He said doctors from Minna hospitals will be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.

No fewer than 77 lives were lost in the devastating incident that has since plunged the community into mourning and raised concerns about safety measures in the area.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, who confirmed the death toll to Newsmen through a telephone conversation, said 25 injured victims were rushed to various hospitals in Suleja, Wuse, and nearby health facilities for urgent medical attention.

This is not the first time tanker explosion would happen in the northern part of the country of recent.

In October, more than 170 people died in a similar incident in Jigawa State.

In 2020, the FRSC listed 1,531 fuel tanker accidents which claimed over 535 lives.