Abuja Residents In Panic As ‘Explosion’ Rocks In Maitama, Injures Two People

Abuja residents are currently in panic due to a loud explosion that occurred in the Maitama axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.

A Twitter user named A Y Rafindadi said that the explosion occurred while a truck was picking up waste, causing injuries to two men.

He tweeted: “A truck came to pick up BPE trash, whilst they were in the process of emptying the second trash can, an explosion occurred, I was merely 4 mts away from the explosion (on that pavement) when it happened. 2 men where injured rushed to the hospital. & my windscreen was shattered.

Another user, King Ray, suggested that the explosion originated from a burning dump site, possibly due to gas cylinders in the refuse.

“The explosion is actually from a burning dump site. Probably there are empty gas cylinders in the refuse which might have triggered the explosion but definitely not a bomb,” he wrote.

However, One Abiodun Sanusi dismissed the claims, attributing the loud noise to an eruption from a heated metallic waste bin.

He wrote, “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.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed the incident, clarifying that it was not a bomb blast.

Nkechi Isa, FEMA’s Head Public Affairs, stated that the explosion occurred at a dump site, and no casualties were reported.

“Yes, there was an explosion. No casualties FEMA was there. The FCT police are looking into it. It occurred at a dump site,” she said.

The FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, issued a statement emphasizing that the explosion was not bomb-related but resulted from an overheated metal refuse container.

Adeh said that two refuse evacuators sustained injuries and were receiving medical attention at Maitama General Hospital.

The police advised the public to use plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal to reduce the risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers.

The statement titled, ‘Alleged Explosion In Maitama Not Bomb Related; Result Of Overheated Metal Refuse Bin’, reads:

“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 that 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 containers.”

KanyiDaily recalls that the Senate recently disclosed its intention to summon FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the escalating security concerns in Abuja.