Kano State Police Command, in its update on the explosion that rocked the state capital on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, has confirmed the death of a total of nine persons certified dead, while eight others were injured.
According to the command, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Saturday, May 21, among the injured were students of Winners Kids Academy which was opposite the collapsed building, but they had been treated and discharged.
It will be recalled that the explosion occurred at 1, Aba/Court Road Sabon-Gari Quarters, Kano that led to the collapse of a building housing four shops and residential apartment.
Those who lost their lives as a result of the explosion Ejike Vincent, a welder;
Michael Adejo, chemical seller;
Musa Kalla, tea seller; Christiana Abosade; Mary; Austine Dada;
Madam Owoleke; Omo Ben and Bose Oladapo.
The PPRO stated that preliminary investigation revealed that one the nine victims of the explosion, Adejo, was dealing in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Items recovered at the scene included five bottles of different brands of acidic liquid, three bags of potassium substance, a jerry can of mixed chemicals, six and a half cartons of snuff (tobacco) and five drums of Polymer (a chemical)
.
“Technical investigation conducted by the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence (EOD-CBRN) revealed that the explosion is suspected to have occurred as a result of mixed chemical/gas reactions exposed to a source of heat, such as fire, spark or increase in pressure, resulting in combustion/shock waves, creating an explosion which can have shattering effects,” Kiyawa added.
He said that arrests were also made linking one of the collapsed shops with sales of illicit, toxic chemical substances and combustible materials suspected to be used for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), with evidence of purchase recovered.
The command spokesman stated further that an investigation had commenced on the occurrence.
