In a troubling discovery, just days after a controversy over whether it was a welder’s gas cylinders that led to an explosion on Aba Street around Sabon Gari area in Kano city that claimed nine lives, the Police have made a startling revelation of a car they intercepted with bombs and firearms.
The discovery comes as the Police changed the story behind the Sabon Gari explosion.
The Police now say the explosion was a result of “illicit, toxic chemical substances” used for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The Police disclosed earlier that the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder.
A statement issued on Saturday by the command spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, identified the seller of the illicit chemicals as Michael Adejo who also died in the blast.
Said the Police in a statement: “On the 19/05/2022, following an intelligence report that a Mercedes Benz Motor Vehicle, ash in color with suspected sophisticated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is coming from Jigawa State to Kano State, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi immediately raised a crack team comprising Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defence (EOD-CBRN) and Operation Puff Adder.
“At about 1630hrs (4.30 p.m) of the same date, following a hot chase, the suspects abandoned the Motor Vehicle at Bubbugaje Quarters Kumbotso LGA Kano State. A technical search conducted by the team revealed that the motor vehicle was fully loaded with Improvised Explosive Device materials.
“Two (2) AK-47 Rifles, Four (4) AK-47 Magazines, One Thousand and Ninety-Eight (1,098) Live Ammunition, and Two (2) Pistol Magazines were also recovered. An investigation has commenced”.
In the Saturday statement on the cause of the Sabon Gari explosion, the Police said: “In continuation of an investigation of suspected Gas/Chemical Explosion that occurred on the 17/05/2022 at No. 01 Aba/Court Road Sabon Gari Quarters Kano that led to a building collapse which housed four shops and residential apartment the upstairs, 9 people were certified dead by a Medical Doctor and 8 victims including students of Winners Kids Academy opposite the collapsed building that sustained minor injuries as a result of shock waves were treated and discharged.
“Those that lost their lives as a result of the explosion are Ejike Vincent (Welder); Michael Adejo (Chemical Seller); Musa Kalla (Tea Seller); Christiana Abosade; Mary; Austine Dada; Madam Owoleke; Omo Ben and; Bose Oladapo.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that among the 9 victims of the explosion, one of them deals 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 (5) Bottles of different brands of Acidic Liquid; Three (3) Bags of Potassium substance; One (1) Jerry can of mixed chemicals; Six and a half (6.5) Cartons of Snuff (Tobacco) and; Five (5) 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 be 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 shop 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.”
