“They Should Have Stopped The Scooping” – Falana Blames Security Agencies For 86 Deaths In Niger Tanker Explosion

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has blamed security agencies and relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility of attending to emergencies for failing to prevent Saturday’s tragic petrol tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction in Gurara Local Government area of Niger State.
Falana disclosed this when he was featured as a guest on the Sunday edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly claimed at least 86 lives and left over 55 victims hospitalised.
While expressing deep regret over the loss of lives and destruction of properties, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria lamented that the explosion could have been avoided if relevant agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Police arrived on time to prevent people from rushing to scoop fuel from the collapsed tanker.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached on Sunday to confirm the report.
However, our correspondent obtained an internal memo from the NCPC dated January 16, imploring the invited staff to go along with their passports to the EFCC’s office.
The memo signed by Assistant Director APD, Chukwura Frank, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, was titled, ‘Re: Invitation by EFCC on investigation of misappropriation of public funds’.
It partly read, “I am directed to inform you that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited 146 officers of the Commission (both serving and retired) for an interview, and to go along with their international passports (sic) for this purpose.
“In furtherance to the above, the officers on the attached list should report to the EFCC on the dates indicated against their names for the interview with Head, Special Duty Committee 3, at EFCC Headquarters Jabi, Plot 301/302 Institution and Research District, Abuja by 10:00 am prompt
“This is for your information and strict compliance, please.”
According to the memo, those scheduled to appear include the Assistant Chief Accountant on Wednesday, January 22, 2025; the Assistant Chief Executive (Statistician), Principal Executive Officer (Accounts), Principal Accountant, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Assistant Chief Planning Officer, and Assistant Chief Executive (Accounts) on Thursday, January 23, 2025; and the Principal Procurement Officer, Principal Planning Officer, and Principal Information Officer on Monday, January 27, 2025, among others.
The spokesperson for the NCPC, Celestine Ogugua, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.
One of those invited contacted by our correspondent said the invitation was a routine check into the books of the commission.
He said, “It is not a new thing for us here. It is a routine exercise to check the books of the commission. It is nothing to worry about.”
The post “They Should Have Stopped The Scooping” – Falana Blames Security Agencies For 86 Deaths In Niger Tanker Explosion appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.

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