In a bid to curb the rising threat of fuel tanker and gas-related explosions, the Jigawa State Police Command has embarked on a sensitisation campaign targeting high-risk stakeholders across the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Dutse on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Lawan Shiisu.
According to Shiisu, the initiative was launched in response to a wave of tragic tanker explosions and gas-related incidents that have claimed many lives and destroyed property across the country in recent times.
The sensitisation programme, carried out by the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Base 24, focused on safety education and proactive community engagement as key tools in averting future disasters.
“The sensitisation was designed to equip participants with knowledge on the nature, causes, and prevention of explosions, especially those resulting from gas leaks, chemical reactions and mechanical failures often linked to tanker accidents and industrial operations,” Shiisu explained.
He added that the programme also emphasized the “importance of personal protective equipment, regular maintenance of equipment and adherence to best safety practices.”
Participants were drawn from various sectors with significant exposure to explosion risks, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Welders’ Association, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Mechanics’ Association, and gas plant operators.
Shiisu further noted that the event provided “an interactive platform where participants engaged in productive discussions, shared experiences and offered recommendations aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing future tragedies.”
The Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Ahmadu Abdullahi, urged all stakeholders and the general public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and adhere strictly to safety guidelines.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in October 2024, over 200 people lost their lives and more than 150 others sustained injuries following a petrol tanker explosion in Majia town, Ringim Local Government Area of the state.
