Four senior police officers, including the Commander of the Anti-Bomb Squad of the Adamawa State Police Command, were killed on Thursday when some bombs exploded at the Jimeta Divisional Police Headquarters in Yola.
The blast was said to have occurred at about 11.44am on Thursday when some bombs seized from terrorists suddenly went off.
It was gathered that the bombs were affected by a heat wave where they were kept in the armoury.
The blast shattered the windows and doors of houses in the entire neighbourhood while many buildings were rocked to their foundations.
The blast also caused panic around the area, especially at the Central Primary School opposite the police station, where pupils were attending classes at the time of the explosion.
The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gazali Mohammed, confirmed the incident.
Mohammed, who visited the scene, said that four police officers were killed in the blast.
The CP said the bombs were taken from Boko Haram terrorists and kept at the Police bomb amoury of the anti-bomb unit.
He also confirmed that some persons were injured, adding that they had been rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Sources at the specialist hospital in Yola said several persons were taken to the hospital for treatment.
Also, the National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the explosion, which it described as “accidental”.
NEMA stated that four people died in the explosion.
The agency, in a statement by its Senior Information Officer, Mr. Sani Datti, stated that neighbouring buildings were also affected by the explosion.
NEMA, however, did not state the cause of the explosion as officials of the agency decided to keep mum on the issue when contacted.
The agency, in the statement, said, “An accidental explosion occurred at about 12noon today (Thursday) at the Police anti-bomb squad office, Jimeta, Adamawa State. Four persons have been confirmed dead, while a few were injured and evacuated to Federal Medical Centre, Yola.
“Nearby buildings such as Jimeta Primary School, Post Office, old NITEL building and some neighbouring houses were affected.”
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