The incident occurred on Saturday night at Danmagaji area of Zaria in Kaduna State, when the tanker driver lost control in an attempt to avoid a pot hole.

In the process, he was said to have crushed to death a motorcyclist, and the ensuing fire which razed the police station and vehicles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Agyole Abeh confirmed the figure to newsmen after visiting the scene on Sunday.

“The incident was quite unfortunate but we have to give glory to God because the level of lives involved is what we should appreciate God for.

“The inferno would have consumed a lot of lives, most especially as Danmagaji usually has heavy traffic, and this police station is a place where people always patronise.

“Today, we would have been telling a different story.

“However everything in the station have been completely burnt down, as you can see the structure, nothing is left apart from the wall,” he said.

The police commissioner solicited for the intervention of the state government, traditional and community leaders in rebuilding the police station.

“The state government had never let the police down, it has been given resounding assistance to the force and I believe it will find an immediate solution to the problem,” the Police chief said.