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| Image: overturned petrol tanker at Zangon Kanya village, Ringim LGA, Jigawa state. |
By Muhammad Salisu
A petrol tanker loaded with 60,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) overturned on Thursday in Zangon Kanya village, Ringim Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
An eyewitness source, Aminu Suleiman, said the tanker overturned when the driver tried to avoid another vehicle on the road. "The driver lost control, and the tanker fell on its side, spilling fuel everywhere," he added.
Another eyewitness, Garbati Na'Allah Umar, said he was shocked by the incident. "I was in my house when I heard a loud noise, and I came out to see the tanker lying on its side with fuel spilling all over the road," he recounted.
Muhammad Lawal, a bye passer when the incident happened, told our Correspondent that the driver's attempt to avoid another vehicle led to the accident. "The tanker overturned, causing a huge traffic jam, but thankfully, the authorities responded quickly," he said.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Jigawa Police Command said the accident occurred when the driver, Muhammad Ali, 50, lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid hitting an oncoming trailer.
"The tanker was on its way from Lagos to Gujungu town in Taura Local Government Area when the incident happened. The driver sustained injuries and was rushed to Ringim General Hospital for treatment," added in the statement signed by the Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Shi'isu Adam.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the police quickly responded to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent villagers and passersby from scooping the spilling fuel.
The Police spokesperson therefore said, when the incident happened, the police had diverted traffic to prevent any untoward development.
"The scene has been cordoned off to prevent villagers, passersby, and other miscreants from scooping the spilling PMS," Adam emphasised.
Fortunately, SP Shi'isu Adam revealed that "there was no explosion or fire outbreak recorded at the scene. The police and other relevant agencies, including the Fire Service and Federal Road Safety Corps, were informed and responded promptly."
Accordingly, he said "the cause of the accident is attributed to the driver's attempt to maneuver a local traffic diversion on the road. The police are still investigating the incident."
Also the PPRO noted that the quick response by the police and other agencies prevented what could have been a disaster. "The scene is still being managed, and traffic is being diverted to ensure safety," he confirmed.
SP Adam also revealed that the injured driver is currently receiving treatment at Ringim General Hospital adding that "the police are working to ensure that the situation is brought under control."
However, the police urged drivers to be vigilant and follow traffic rules to avoid accidents and highlighted the importance of road safety and the need for drivers to exercise caution while driving.
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