A gasoline tanker explosion in north-central Nigeria has now claimed 98 lives, according to the country's emergency response agency. The event occurred early Saturday near Suleja in Niger state. It happened as individuals tried to transfer gasoline from a crashed tanker to another vehicle using a generator, which ignited the explosion. Hussaini Isah, the National Emergency Management Agency's Niger State operations head, warned that the death toll might increase.
Eyewitness reports reveal that a large crowd had gathered at the accident site, exacerbating the casualty count. Bystanders, photographers, and those seeking to collect free gasoline were among the victims. The incident underscores a desperate practice in Nigeria, where citizens often take advantage of fallen tankers to acquire gasoline amid surging prices. The increase in fuel costs follows President Bola Tinubu's decision over a year ago to eliminate subsidies, prompting economic challenges for many Nigerians.
Despite the government's intent to redirect subsidy savings toward development, the policy has intensified financial hardships. Many Nigerians resort to dangerous methods to obtain fuel, risking their lives for a chance of free gasoline or profit. The incident near Suleja highlights the broader socioeconomic strains and the perilous lengths to which citizens might go due to these pressures. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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