Tag: Explosion

  • Explosion Rocks Rivers, Many Houses Destroyed

    Explosion Rocks Rivers, Many Houses Destroyed

    Over 200 persons were displaced, with goods and property worth millions of naira destroyed, following a fire outbreak in Elekahia, a densely populated area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday morning.

    Our correspondent who visited the scene gathered that the fire which started at about 8:30 am was caused by a kerosene explosion.

    Some of the affected residents have traveled for the festivities, while others were out for work when the fire started.

    An official of the Federal Fire Service, John Nnemeka, told our correspondent that they arrived early but were unable to access the scene because of the nature of the houses.

    Details later….

  • Explosion Reportedly rocks Kogi Govt Office

    Explosion Reportedly rocks Kogi Govt Office

    There was anxiety in parts of Lokoja, Kogi State on Tuesday following a loud explosion heard on the premises housing the office of the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade.

    Reports have it that the incident occurred early hours of Tuesday.

    Efforts by our correspondent to reach the Kogi State Police Command failed as the command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye Aya could not take his calls and failed to respond to text messages forwarded to him.

    There have been several incidents of bomb blasts in the state.

    Recall that on June 3, a bomb blast in the Idoji area of Okene Local Government Area of the state killed a resident and injured others.

  • Insecurity: Aftermath Kabba, Another Explosion Hits Okene In Kogi

    Insecurity: Aftermath Kabba, Another Explosion Hits Okene In Kogi

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state Police Command on Thursday in Lokoja confirmed an explosion that occurred at Odiji in Okene local government area of the state. The nature of the explosion is yet to be determined

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Ayah, disclosed that the Commissioner of Police has however deployed men of the Anti-bomb unit to ascertain the nature of the explosion.

    He said until the team visit the scene of the incident and carries out the investigation, only then would the nature of the explosion been determined.

    The explosion was said to have occurred at idoji area of Okene in the evening at a venue where masquerades were said to be celebrating a particular festival.

    Many persons were said to have been injured following the explosion.

  • Again, Another Explosion Rocks Kabba

    Again, Another Explosion Rocks Kabba

    From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    Barely three weeks of an explosion in Kabba that generated controversies as to whether it was a bomb or Gas cylinder, occurred at a beer parlour around Lewu Junction in Kabba, another explosion has occurred in the same Kabba town in Kogi state.

    The Police Command in Kogi on Sunday confirmed another yet to be ascertained explosion in Kabba Town of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye-Aya who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja, said there was no casualty.

    The police spokesperson explained that the explosion happened at one Omofemi Bar at Okepadi Quarters, Kabba, around 9.15pm of Sunday
    adding “As it is now, there is no casualty, but only chairs and tables and the building is affected by the yet to be determined nature of explosion.”

    “Already the Commissioner of Police, Mr Edward Egbuka, has directed our DC Investigations and the Bomb detective Squad to move to the scene to ascertain the very nature of the explosion.”

    “The police is on top of the situation as our officers and men drafted to the area have cordoned the place until investigation reveals the real cause of the explosion.”

    “It’s very unfortunate that criminal elements are out to disrupt the prevailing peace we are enjoying in Kogi. We shall not rest untill we bring to book such elements and let them see the need for maintenance of peace in our society.” he warned.

    Ovye-Aya called on the people of Okepadi and Kabba to be calm and go about their normal duties without any fear as the police were on top of the situation.

    While lives were lost in the first explosion that occurred on 11th May 2022, no person was affected beside property.

  • UPDATE: Gas Cylinder Not Bomb Caused Kano Explosion – Police

    UPDATE: Gas Cylinder Not Bomb Caused Kano Explosion – Police

    The police on Tuesday said an explosion that rocked Kano city was triggered by gas cylinder and not a bomb.

    “It is not a bomb explosion, it is a gas explosion,” Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Dikko, said in a voice recording. “A gas cylinder explosion.

    “Because there is a welder, just by the place, and he is the first victim in this situation.”

    According to the police chief, four persons have been confirmed dead. He said no school-children were among the dead.

    He confirmed that rescue operations were still ongoing as bulldozers were being expected to clear the rubble.

    Dikko added that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, was also investigation what led to the gas cylinder explosion.

    He maintained that the scene was under control.

    The blast, which occurred on Tuesday morning, affected some buildings and left several injured, including school children.

    According to the state commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba, the incident happened at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge local government.

    In a statement, Garba called on the people in the state particularly those living in the area where the incident occurred to remain calm while government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, are working on the matter.

    The commissioner assured that government would keep the public abreast on any development and warned people to desist from spreading unsubstantiated news.

  • Many Feared Killed As Explosion Rocks Kano

    Many Feared Killed As Explosion Rocks Kano

    Scores were feared dead following an explosion along Aba Road in Sabon Gari, Kano State on Tuesday.

    The explosion, which occurred near a private secondary school, Winners School, destroyed a residential building and affected part of the school.

    The explosion occurred around 9:30 am with many schoolchildren reportedly affected.

    As of the time of filing this report, security operatives, including the army, police, and NSCDC had surrounded the place.

    The National Emergency Management Agency and Fire service operatives were also on the ground trying to rescue victims of the explosion.

    Meanwhile, the Kano State Government clarified that the early Tuesday morning explosion in the Sabon Gari area did not occur in a school.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the incident happened at an animal feed store opposite the school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government.

    He said while the cause of the explosion and the damage had yet to be officially ascertained, an investigation has since commenced to determine the cause, impact and measures to be taken.

    Garba called on the people in the state, particularly those living in the area where the incident occurred, to remain calm while the government in collaboration with relevant agencies are working on the matter.

    The commissioner assured residents that government would keep the public abreast of any development

  • Explosion: Three feared dead, many others injured in Kabba

    Explosion: Three feared dead, many others injured in Kabba

    An explosion has occurred in Kabba ,Kogi state on Wednesday, claiming the lives of three and many others injured.

    Sources told our correspondent that the incident happened at 9:45 pm at a beer parlour, around Lewu junction, Kabba,as people were making merry.

    The source explained that he heard a loud sound from where he was,he went there only to find three dead bodies and others injured; the injured ones were taken to St.John’s General Hospital Kabba for medical attention.

    The Commissioner, Kogi state Police Command, Edward Egbuka,told our Correspondent that reports indicated that it was a gas explosion and that more details will be given about the explosion after investigation.

  • Explosion: 3 Nigerian Soldiers killed in Katsina

    Explosion: 3 Nigerian Soldiers killed in Katsina

    Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by terrorists kills three Nigerian Soldiers in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

    A Military Source explains to our Correspondent that the troops were on a special operation at Kaiga community when one of their vehicles stepped on the IED planted by the terrorists.

    The source added that, three soldiers died, others wounded and have been taken to Federal Medical Centre in Katsina ,the area has been scanned and no other IED was found.

  • Tragedy as Explosion Rocks Illegal Refinery In Imo

    Tragedy as Explosion Rocks Illegal Refinery In Imo

    No fewer than 100 people were killed on Friday night after an illegal refinery went up in flames at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

    Witnesses said the incident happened around 11pm on Friday but residents of the area woke up to see the huge flames on Saturday morning.

    It remains unclear how many people were on the site when it ignited but figures from witnesses range from 50 to over 100.

    A source said people were unable to go close to the bush at first because of raging fire and had to wait for the flames to die down before venturing close.

    When they got to the scene, they found out over hundred persons have been burnt and many others sustained serious burns.

    Videos of the scene of the illegal refinery, hours after the flames went out, depict the extent of the deadly blaze’s impact-charred equipment, vehicles, and human remains littered the scene.

    Meanwhile the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has commiserated with the families of affected victims.

    He, however, explained that running an illegal refinery in the area amounted to economic sabotage to the state and the nation and a criminal act which all should desist from.

    The governor warned those still in the business of running illegal refinery in the state to stop forthwith or face the wrath of the law.

    Illegal refineries have remained a menace, posing environmental and economic threat to the nation and resulting in condemnation and crackdowns by the government – especially in the South-South.

    Earlier this month, amid reports of widespread crude oil theft and the environmental impact of illegal refineries – evident in the soot problem in Rivers State, the Nigerian Navy launched an operation to combat the threat.

    Last week, the Navy said the operation – Operation Dakatar Da Barawo or ‘Stop the Thief – had recorded successes with about N200m worth of crude oil products seized from thieves in oil producing states in two weeks.

    “These arrests and seizures from the ongoing OPDDB have denied oil thieves and criminals of about N200 million and $700,000 worth of products within roughly two weeks,” a statement from the spokesman of the Navy, Comodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, read in part.

    “It is indicative of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure zero tolerance for COT, illegal bunkering and related economic crimes in the Nation’s maritime area and the South-South geopolitical zone in particular.”

    The operation follows raids and crackdowns on illegal refineries in Rivers and other places in the South-South.

    Speaking to reporters, Governor Uzodimma said the incident was a form of economic sabotage.

    “I’ve dispatched my Commissioner of Petroleum to visit the scene,” he said. “This is what we have been crying for in the state.

    “It is an economic sabotage to our country, where people steal our crude oil, refine illegally and – even without the guarantee of the quality of such products – sell to the people. And some people suffer engine failure and all sort of problems with their vehicles as a result of these illegal activities.

    “So people must be law-abiding, must refrain from taking into any activity that will amount to economic sabotage, criminality and all that.

    “That does not mean I’m not empathetic to the loss of lives associated with the incident. It’s unfortunate. And through that, I want to advise those who are still in that practice to desist from such acts.”

  • Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Explosion Rocks Kaduna Community

    Residents of Danmani community of Rigasa in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State panicked following an explosion on Friday night.

    The incident happened close to a P.O.S operator shop near Abubakar Sadiq Mosque, according to residents.

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    Daily Trust gathered that an object believed to be explosive was found close to a motorcycle ‎belonging to a POS operator in the community.

    A local Vigilante in the community, who craved anonymity, said the explosion injured the POS operator who was later rushed to hospital.

    ‎”The man was rushed to hospital for treatment because his legs and finger nails were badly affected. The case has been reported to police,” he said.

    Another resident, who simply identified himself as Shehu, said three people sustained injuries in the incident.

    According to him, a team of anti-bomb squad arrived the scene and detonated another explosive.

    “Among the three injured persons, the P.OS operator is unconscious and receiving treatment at 44 Hospital, while the remaining two person sustained mild injuries,” he said.

    The state government and State Police are yet to comment on the incident. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Jalige Mohammed, did not answer calls.

    Daily Trust reports that the explosion came few weeks after the state government through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, warned residents to be vigilant because there was report of terrorists plans to plant IEDs at schools, markets and worship places.