Nigeria, March 26 -- Six months after a petrol tanker explosion in Jigawa State, the state government says some who pledged financial support for the victims were yet to redeem the pledges.

The tanker exploded in Majia town in Taura Local Government Area on 14 October last year.

A panel set up by the state government to investigate the incident said 209 persons were killed and 99 others injured in the accident.

On Tuesday, the government's spokesperson, Sagir Ahmed, told reporters that the government directed the disbursement of the N839,686,580 redeemed while awaiting the remaining pledges. He said over N1.6 billion was pledged, but just over N839 million has been redeemed.

Mr Ahmed said the redeemed pledges from individuals, groups,...