Residents of Maitama in Abuja have raised concerns about an explosion in the area. The explosion is said to have occurred close to a refuse dump site.
The police in a statement issued on Wednesday by the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the situation and preliminary findings indicate that an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded and injured two refuse evacuators.
She said the injured persons were receiving medical attention at Maitama General Hospital.
The statement read, “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.
“A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were 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 evacuators, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.
“The FCT Police Command urges members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse container.”
In a series of tweets posted on X on Wednesday, several residents attributed the sound to an incident near a local dump site.
A user identified as A Y Rafindadi reported that two men sustained injuries during the incident. He detailed, “A truck came to pick up BPE trash, and while they were emptying the second trash can, an explosion occurred. I was merely 4 meters away when it happened on that pavement. Two men were injured and rushed to the hospital. My windscreen was shattered.”
Another X user, King Ray, offered an alternative perspective, stating, “The explosion is actually from a burning dump site. There might be empty gas cylinders in the refuse, triggering the explosion, but it’s definitely not a bomb.”
Likewise, Serah Ibrahim suggested a potential cause, stating, “An explosion occurred today at Maitama, Abuja, injuring many. The explosion was said to have happened close to a refuse dump site. It is suspected to be from a possible gas leakage.”
Contrarily, Abiodun Sanusi dismissed claims of an explosion in Maitama, explaining, “There was a bang in a street in Maitama, and a sudden loud, sharp noise was caused by an eruption from a metallic waste bin that has been heated by the sun (solar radiation). Police EOD were deployed, and no problem.”
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