The Kano State Police Command has confirmed that it recovered a vehicle laden with Improvised Explosives Device (IED) materials two days after the explosion that rocked the Sabon Gari area of the state but insisted the explosion resulted from gas and chemicals.
The police also confirmed the identities of the nine persons killed in the Tuesday attack to include that of the persons allegedly dealing in “illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials”, identified as one Michael Adejo.
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Daily Trust on Sunday reports that there has been disagreement between residents of the area and the police as to what led to the explosion with residents saying it was a bomb attack while the police said all evidence pointed to gas/chemical explosion.
The police in a statement on Saturday by its spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said the vehicle laden with IED making materials was recovered on Thursday.
He said “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 of the same date, following a hot chase, the suspects abandoned the Motor Vehicle at Bubbugaje Quarters Kumbotso LGA Kano State.”
The police spokesman said a technical search conducted by the team revealed that the vehicle was fully loaded with IED materials, two AK-47 Rifles, four AK-47 magazines, 1,098 live ammunition and two pistol magazines, and that investigation has continued.
On the Sabon Gari explosion, Kiyawa said 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, Austine Dada, Madam Owoleke, Omo Ben, Bose Oladapo, and a woman simply identified as Mary.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that, among the nine 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),” he said.
He listed items recovered at the scene to include: five bottles of different brands of acidic liquid, three bags of Potassium substance, a jerican of mixed chemicals, six and a half cartons of Snuff (Tobacco), and five drums of Polymer (Chemical).
“Meanwhile arrests have been made linking one of the collapsed shops 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,” he added.
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