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Published 29 December 2020
ADELANI ADEPEGBA writes on the frequent crashes of tankers conveying petroleum products and the attendant explosions, loss of lives and property as well as measures being taken by stakeholders to minimise the carnage
Abdullahi Salihu resided in the Lokogoma area of Lokoja before relocating to Felele, Kogi State, where his cousin, a Muslim cleric, Idris Yusuf, lives with members of his family. Together, the cousins were striving to achieve their dreams of giving their children sound education and a good life.
But their plans were cut short on September 23, 2020, in the most horrific way. A tanker explosion killed 28 persons with six of their children among the victims. Abdullahi lost four of his children, while Idris lost two. Aisha, Aisha Jnr, Wasila, Faiza, Ibrahim and Abdul-Mutallib were heading for school in a bus when the explosion consumed them. The mothers of the children became unconscious and had to be rushed to a ne