An investigation carried out by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, EOD-CBRN, and Operation Puff Adder of the Nigerian Police, has indicated that an Improvised Explosive Device(IED) was responsible for an explosion in Kano state late Tuesday.
A statement from the Kano state police command revealed that the explosion was not caused by a gas cylinder as earlier reported by some sections of the media.
The statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, PRO, Haruna Kiyawa, read in part; “a preliminary investigation revealed that among the nine victims of the explosion, one of them dealt in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.”
“He was later identified as Michael Adejo (now late). Items recovered at the scene include five bottles of different brands of Acidic Liquid, three bags of Potassium substance, one Jeri can of mixed chemicals, six and a half cartons of Snuff (Tobacco) and five drums of Polymer (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.”
“Meanwhile arrests have been made linking one of the collapsed shops with dealings in sales of illicit, toxic chemical substances and combustible materials suspected to be used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs,. Evidence of purchase was also recovered. An investigation is in progress.” the police stated.
