The police in Abuja have dispelled rumour of a bomb blast, clarifying that the explosion in the Maitama area of the nation’s capital was caused by an overheated metal refuse bin, News About Nigeria reports.
There was a report of an explosion in the area, which created panic and confusion among residents.
According to a statement from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the explosion occurred near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja.
She said that preliminary findings indicate that an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, resulting in the explosion.
Two refuse evacuators sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving medical attention at Maitama General Hospital.
“The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on 24/01/2024 at about 1145 hrs, near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja,” the statement read.
“A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was deployed to assess the situation and preliminary findings indicate than an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, thereby causing injury to two of the refuse evacuator, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.”
The FCT Police Command urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins.
Instead, they recommended the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers.
This clarification comes a week after the explosion at Adeyi Estate in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, which was caused by improved explosive devices (IEDs). The incident in Ibadan resulted in the loss of five lives and left 77 people injured.
The authorities responded swiftly to the distress alert, mobilising response agencies to the scene and conducting an investigation into the incident.
