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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Filling station explosion kills two, injures three in Plateau

From The Punch · (1d ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • An explosion at a filling station in Plateau State, Nigeria, killed two people and injured three.
  • Police clarified the incident was an industrial accident during repair work, not a bomb blast or terror attack.
  • An investigation by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit confirmed the accidental nature of the explosion.

The Plateau State Police Command has moved swiftly to clarify the nature of an incident in Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area. Reports circulating online suggested a bomb blast and a crisis, but the police, through their Public Relations Officer SP Alfred Alabo, have firmly stated this is a misrepresentation. The unfortunate event was an industrial accident at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, occurring while artisans were conducting repair work on an underground storage tank.

The Plateau State Police Command has been drawn to certain false, misleading and alarmist reports currently circulating, alleging that there was a bomb blast and outbreak of crisis in Plateau State.

— Plateau State Police CommandStatement clarifying the nature of the incident.

Commissioner of Police immediately dispatched officers to the scene to manage the situation and ensure rescue efforts. The injured were promptly evacuated to Cottage Hospital, Bokkos, and the deceased were taken to the morgue. This decisive action by the police prevented further escalation and ensured that victims received necessary attention.

The Plateau State Police Command received a report of an explosion which occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, a filling station located in Daffo District, while welding repair works were being carried out by artisans.

— Plateau State Police CommandExplaining the circumstances of the explosion.

Crucially, the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Unit (EOD) was deployed to investigate. Their findings definitively ruled out any connection to terrorism or an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The police emphasized that the explosion was purely accidental, a fact that is vital for maintaining public peace and preventing the spread of misinformation. The incident resulted in the tragic death of two individuals, including 24-year-old Emmanuel Mapak, with three others currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries. The police have warned residents against spreading false information.

Our men swiftly evacuated the injured victims to Cottage Hospital, Bokkos, while the corpses of the deceased victims were deposited at the morgue.

— Plateau State Police CommandDescribing the immediate response to the victims.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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