Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has prohibited heavy-duty trucks from using the one-way route through Dikko Bridge following a deadly tanker explosion on Saturday that resulted in numerous fatalities.
The governor issued the directive during his visit to the explosion site at Dikko Junction in Suleja Local Government Area.
He expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives, calling the incident tragic, though he noted that it did not affect nearby communities.
Governor Bago condemned the reckless behavior of some drivers and ordered that vehicles coming from the Maje direction no longer pass through Dikko Bridge. Instead, they are to follow the alternate route beneath the bridge and make a U-turn.
He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector commander to set up a detachment in the area to enforce this new directive and urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.
Bago linked the frequent accidents in the area to delays in the completion of the Minna-Suleja road project and called on the federal government to accelerate progress on the project.
The governor also praised the efforts of the state Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, FRSC, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers for their swift response in evacuating the victims of the explosion.
He further revealed that doctors from Minna hospitals would be redeployed to support the treatment of injured victims currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital.
The tragic explosion, which occurred on Saturday morning, claimed the lives of over 50 people who were attempting to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker.