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Explosion Caused By Gas Cylinder Not Bomb, Says Kano Police
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We Don’t know the Cause of Explosion Yet — Kano Govt
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Eyewitnesses: We Saw Suicide Bomber
Hard facts about the cause of an explosion that rocked a private school, in Sabon Gari Kano State, have become scarce as claims and denials have been flying around, with death toll climbing to nine, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The New Diplomat reports minutes after the explosion was reported early Tuesday, there were claims the blast was from a gas cylinder amid confusion and counterclaims that the explosion was from a suspected suicide bomber, who detonated an explosive device near the private school.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to journalists claimed they saw when a male suicide bomber detonated an explosive on the street and the explosion affected the building adjacent to the school. Also, a female student of the affected school with bloodied face said in a video that she saw as some persons “came to throw bomb into the school.”
However, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Dikko, has dismissed the claims, clarifing that gas cylinder and not a bomb exploded near the school on Tuesday morning.
He said this during his visit to the scene of the incident, where buildings have been brought down by the explosion, with victims trapped in the rubbles.
The the Kano Police Command, added that preliminary investigation established the explosion was caused by gas.
The statement reads, “Today, 17/05/2022 by 1000hrs, a report was received that, there was a sound of a suspected explosion at Aba by Court Road, Sabon Gari Quarters Kano.
“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi immediately led the command’s combined teams of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defence (EOD-CBRN) and Operation Puff Adder to the scene at a building located at No. 01, Aba/Court Road, Sabongari Quarters Kano opposite Winners Kids Academy.
“Residents and Security Operatives are seen at the scene of the Kano explosion in Sabon Gari area. Residents and Security Operatives are seen at the scene of the Kano explosion in Sabon Gari area.
“Scene of the suspected explosion that led to a building collapse was cordoned up and four victims (3 Males and 1 Female) including a Wielder, named Mr. Ejike Vincent were removed and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where a Medical Doctor certified them dead.
“Preliminary Forensic Analysis revealed a suspected Gas Cylinder Explosion with the recovery of Chemicals. Rescue Mission in Progress.”
However, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Muhammad Garba, said the cause of explosion had not been determined as the Kano State Government could not say whether the explosion was caused by a bomb or a gas cylinder, but it said the explosion did not occur in a school.
Garba said the incident happened at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge local government.
He urged the residents of the state to remain calm pending the determination of the investigations of the police.
“The incident happened at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge local government.
“While the cause of the explosion and the damage it had done is yet to be officially ascertained, investigation has since commenced to determine the cause, impact and measures to be taken,” Garba said.
Meanwhile, NEMA has disclosed that about 9 bodies have been recovered so far from the explosion that rocked the primary school building in Sabon Gari.
This was disclosed in a statement by NEMA’s spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel.
Ezekiel, in the statement, disclosed that a team of the agency has been deployed to the venue of the incident to rescue trapped persons.
The statement reads: “9 dead bodies have been recovered so far from the rubbles of a collapsed building 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.”
