Gas station blast claims two lives, leaves three hurt in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has verified that a tragic explosion at a filling station in Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area, resulted in the loss of two lives and left three others injured.

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This incident, which occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, was initially misreported online as a bomb blast, but was actually an unfortunate industrial accident, according to a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, on Saturday.

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The command clarified that the explosion was not a bomb blast, but rather an industrial accident that happened while repair work was being done on an underground storage tank at the filling station.

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As the news of the explosion spread, the Plateau State Police Command issued a statement to correct the misleading reports, stating that claims of a bomb blast and crisis in Plateau State were entirely false and a deliberate misrepresentation of the incident.

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The police explained that the explosion occurred while artisans were performing welding repair works at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, prompting the Commissioner of Police to immediately dispatch officers to the scene to manage the situation and oversee rescue efforts.

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Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police directed the Divisional Police Officer to lead a team of policemen to the scene, ensuring a swift response to the emergency.

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The injured victims were quickly evacuated to Cottage Hospital, Bokkos, for medical attention, while the deceased were taken to the morgue, according to the police statement.

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To determine the cause of the explosion, the command deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, also known as the Anti Bomb Squad, to the scene.

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The investigation, which included the EOD unit's findings, revealed that the incident was purely accidental and not connected to terrorism or any improvised explosive device (IED) explosion orchestrated by individuals or groups.

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The command confirmed that the explosion resulted in the death of two persons, including 24-year-old Emmanuel Mapak, while three others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

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The police warned residents against disseminating unverified information, emphasizing that such reports could cause unnecessary panic and tension among the community.

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The command urged the public to rely solely on official sources for information and assured residents that efforts to maintain peace and security in Plateau State would continue unabated.