Fuel tanker explosion kills 31 in Nigeria’s Niger state

A tanker truck laden with gasoline exploded Tuesday in north-central Nigeria, killing at least 31 people, police said.

The explosion occurred in the Bida area of Niger State after the truck fell and as residents rushed to the scene to scoop up spilling fuel, police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement. He said 17 people were also injured in the blast and were taken to nearby hospitals.

In recent months, Niger State has seen a rise…