From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A devastating incident occurred on the Zaria-Kaduna Expressway when a tanker explosion claimed the life of a 71-year-old man, Aliyu Ramalan Bambale.
The accident, which took place around 8:30 AM in the Dan Magaji area, also left four others injured.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the accident involved an LPG tanker that crashed into the rear of an empty fuel tanker, resulting in an explosion.
The Unit Commander of the FRSC in Zaria, Nasir Falgore, stated that three of the injured were occupants of the empty tanker, while the fourth was from the LPG truck.
The septuagenarian, who was on his way to his farm, was frightened by the explosion and ran for his life. Unfortunately, he was struck by a motorcycle rider and sustained injuries. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries and was later buried according to Islamic rites.
The deceased is survived by two wives and six children. His family has been left to mourn the loss of a loved one in this tragic incident.
This incident highlights the dangers posed by tanker accidents on Nigerian roads. The federal government had banned the movement of 60,000-litre fuel tankers on Nigerian roads five months before the incident, to reduce the risk of accidents and promote road safety.