By Longtong Ibrahim:
The Kano State Police Command has confirmed four persons dead in a deadly explosion that occurred at Aba road by court road in Sabon Gari area of Kano, north Western Nigeria.
Spokesperson for the Police command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa in a statement noted that the explosion occured from a suspected gas cylinder.
According to the statement, “Today, 17/05/2022 by 1000hrs, a report was received that, there was a sound of 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, 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.
“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,” the statement emphasized.
Earlierthe State government through the Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Garba, had clarified that the explosion did not occur in a school but at an animal feed store opposite the school.
He said while the cause of the explosion and the damage it had caused is yet to be officially ascertained, investigation has since commenced to determine the cause, impact and measures to be taken.
While calling on the people in the state particularly those living in the area where the incident occured to remain calm, he assured that government would keep the public abreast on any development and warned people to desist from spreading unsubstantiated news.
Meanwhile a source who pleaded for anonymity told Africa Prime News that some pupils of the school near where the incident happened were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Many parents were seen running to pick their wards from schools around the metropolis.