LAGOS, Nigeria

At least 70 people were killed and scores injured when an oil tanker exploded Saturday in a northcentral Nigerian state, according to senior officials.

Kumar Tsukwam, the commander of Niger State's Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said scores were injured while attempting to scoop fuel from a petrol tanker that had spilled on the road in the Suleja Local Government Area.

“The death toll stands at 70 so far,” Tsukwam told reporters. He added that all corps personnel and other sister agencies are carrying out rescue operations.

Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, explained that the explosion occurred when the tanker collided with another tanker and later attempted to transfer the oil.

The oil came into contact with a generator, resulting in an explosion that caused casualties.

He added that properties valued at millions of naira, the currency of the West African nation, were destroyed in the blaze.

Meanwhile, Gov. Mohammed Umar Bago has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying the Dikko Bridge where the incident occurred.

He gave the order during a visit to the scene of the explosion. The governor also announced that doctors from government hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating victims receiving treatment at the Suleja General Hospital.