Residents of Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, were thrown into a state of sheer panic on Thursday evening after a fuel tanker exploded at a fuelling station located along Kiyawa Road, in the Shakkotu area of Dutse. The explosion occurred at approximately 8:00 pm, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The incident was confirmed by the Jigawa State Police Command, with its spokesperson, SP Shi’isu Adam, issuing an official statement. According to Adam, the Command received reports of the fire outbreak around 8:00 pm and swiftly responded to the scene. He further revealed that following the alarming reports, the area was immediately cordoned off and barricaded for safety reasons to prevent further escalation of the situation.
“We responded to the scene promptly, bringing in fire service personnel to assist in managing the situation,” SP Adam said. “As of now, we have not received any reports of fatalities. Our personnel are still on the ground, and further details regarding the incident will be provided later as investigations continue.”
Initial reports suggest that the fire broke out when the fuel tanker exploded while it was in the process of offloading fuel at the station. The explosion sent flames surging through the station, causing widespread panic among people in the vicinity. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with individuals fleeing for safety, as the fire quickly spread across the area. Several people were left in fear for their lives as the explosion caused loud and terrifying sounds, which were heard by people in nearby areas.
One eyewitness, identified simply as Baba Nura, recounted the terrifying moment he witnessed the explosion. “I was nearby when I heard a loud explosion. I rushed to the scene and saw that the fuel tanker had burst, and the fire surrounded almost everywhere in the filling station,” Baba Nura said. His account paints a vivid picture of the chaos that unfolded in the aftermath of the explosion.
As emergency responders and authorities continue to manage the situation, the local community remains on edge, anxiously waiting for more updates on the incident. For now, the cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and officials are working to ensure that the area is secured and that no further damage occurs.