Two months after a deadly fuel tanker explosion in Essan community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, victims and bereaved families say the financial and medical assistance promised by Governor Umar Bago has largely not been delivered.

The explosion, which occurred on October 22, 2025, along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie Road, claimed 39 lives and left more than 60 people injured.

Following the tragedy, Governor Bago visited the community on October 23, where he pledged ₦1 million to each family of the deceased, ₦500,000 to every injured victim, and full medical coverage for those receiving treatment. The state government also promised to build a primary healthcare centre in Essan, while billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote reportedly committed to repairing the Mokwa–Lambata Road.

However, families affected by the incident told SaharaReporters that most of the promised support has not materialised. Some injured victims reportedly returned home prematurely after being treated in hospitals outside the state due to unpaid medical bills.

Ahmed, a resident of Essan who lost his only brother in the explosion, said victims referred to Ilorin General Hospital in Kwara State were forced to shoulder most treatment-related expenses themselves.

“The government only paid for hospital admission and doctors’ consultation. We had to buy drugs, food and take care of other expenses on our own,” he said.

Mal Saidu, who lost both a son and a grandson, said he has not received the ₦1 million compensation promised by the governor.

“I have not received anything, and since the governor visited, nobody has contacted us again,” he stated.

Another bereaved resident, Mahmud, who lost two sons in the incident, expressed similar frustration, saying he has heard nothing further from the state government since the pledge was made.

Sources within the community revealed that the unfulfilled promises have caused tension between residents and the Katcha Local Government chairman, Zubairu Mohammed Essan. According to one source, the issue nearly led to a confrontation after an elderly man raised questions during a mosque gathering about the delay in disbursing the promised funds.

“The community is beginning to believe the promises were not genuine,” the source said, adding that youths have warned against any attempt to suppress public complaints.

Residents also alleged that the local government chairman has neither issued condolence messages nor provided financial assistance to affected families.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Niger State Government were unsuccessful, as messages sent to the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, were not returned as of the time of filing this report.