In what was an unspeakable tragedy, a Nigerian farmer from Jigawa State has recounted how he lost about 50 people in the devastating fuel tanker explosion that wreaked havoc in the state exactly a week ago ? on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

?My nephews, Nuradeen Rabiu, 16, and Dini Babalo, 17, were among the people who died. They tried to stop people from getting too close to the tanker and fetching fuel before the explosion,? the 50-year-old resident of Majia told BBC.

The accident occurred at about 11pm when a tanker that was transporting fuel from neighbouring Kano State swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle, then overturned, according to witnesses.

The petrol started flowing out of the tanker, and passersby and residents rushed over with bottles to collect what had spilled on the ground and through nearby drains.

The driver, who escaped the crash, tried to warn the crowd to leave the area for safety, witnesses said, but most did not listen. Then at about midnight, there was a big explosion, followed by a fire that ripped through the surrounding area.

The flames engulfed the dozens of people who were gathered near the tanker, as well as others who had arrived to try and help them. The death toll has been put at over 180, with several survivors still in the hospital.

Among the dead were two of Mr Majiya?s nephews, both of whom were in the fourth year at the town secondary school.

?I just bought books for them and new uniforms for the term,? he said in disbelief.

Mr Majiya also lost a long-time friend, Jamilu Maigaji, in the explosion.

The 55-year-old left behind two wives and 13 children.

As a devout Muslim, Mr Majiya said he has accept the tragedy as the will of God, whom he described as the giver and taker of life. (Based on reports by BBC Pidgin and Al Jazeera)

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