Kano – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said nine bodies have so far been recovered from the scene of an explosion that rocked a primary school building in Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis on Tuesday.
Spokesman of the agency, Manzo Ezekiel disclosed this in a statement.
In the statement, Ezekiel said a search and rescue team of the agency had been deployed and currently working at the scene of the incident.
“Nine 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 D-G 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 said.
Meanwhile, the Kano State government said it is yet to ascertain the cause of the explosion.
The state Commissioner for information, Mr Garba Muhammed who disclosed this in a statement said government could not say for now whether the explosion was caused by a bomb or a gas cylinder.
Government, however, said the explosion did not occur in a school as earlier reported by a section of the press.
Garba said the incident happened at an animal feed store opposite a primary school along Aba Road, Sabon Gari area of Fagge local government.
He urged the residents of the state to remain calm pending the outcome of police investigations into the incident.
“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.
However, the Kano State Police Command has said that preliminary investigation has established that the explosion was caused by gas.
The police said this in a statement issued after the visit of the state police Commissioner to the scene of the explosion.
“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, Sabon Gari Quarters Kano opposite Winners Kids Academy.
“Scene of the suspected explosion that led to a building collapse was cordoned off and four victims (3 Males and 1 Female) including a Welder, 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. (vitalnews)
