Scene from the explosion in Sabon Gari area of Kano State, Tuesday morning
Kano explosion not caused by gas, but IEDs – Police
Kano Police Command has now clarified on the cause of last Tuesday morning’s explosion which rocked the Sabon Gari area of the state, killing at least nine persons, saying it was not as result of gas, but by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The Police Command had earlier claimed that gas was responsible for the explosion, a position further corroborated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
However, while addressing newsmen, Monday, on investigations by its relevant units, the state police command’s spokesperson, Haruna Kiyawa, said the explosion was caused by IEDs, and not a gas cylinder, adding that it was set off at a facility used to store toxic and hazardous materials in the Sabon Gari area of the state, on Tuesday.
The explosion occurred at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government in the state.
According to the police, findings showed that the explosion was not set of from a gas cylinder, but by IEDs stored in the facility.
Kiyawa said an investigation carried out by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, EOD-CBRN, and Operation Puff Adder of the Nigerian Police indicated that the incident was a bomb explosion.
He added that a preliminary investigation revealed that one of the nine victims of the explosion dealt in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that among the nine victims of the explosion, one of them dealt in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.
“He was later identified as Michael Adejo (now late). Items recovered at the scene include five bottles of different brands of Acidic Liquid, three bags of Potassium substance, one Jeri can of mixed chemicals, six and a half cartons of Snuff (Tobacco) and five drums of Polymer (Chemical).”
NEMA had last Tuesday confirmed report of a possible gas explosion which caused the extensive damage to the area, while the Kano police command had earlier claimed that gas, not a bomb exploded on Tuesday morning.
A statement by NEMA’s spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel, quoted the Director-General, NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, who was at the site of the incident and coordinated rescue operations, as making the confirmation.
“9 dead bodies have been recovered so far from the rubbles of a collapsed bulding beside a primary school following explosions from gas cylinder at Aba Road in Sabon Gari area of Kano.
“Director-General National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, was at the site of the incident and coordinated the rescue operations. He mobilised excavators being used for the rescue operations and said NEMA team will ensure complete removal of the rubbles to retrieve all trapped persons.
“Furthermore, the DG instructed the NEMA rescue team to remain at the site until conclusion of the rescue and to work together with security agencies and other response organisations present at the location.
“NEMA is presently coordinating the rescue operations involving members, Nigerian Red Cross, military, the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Kano SEMA,” the statement read.
