Heavy explosion has rocked Maitama, the heart of Abuja.
News of the incident had sent panic round the city.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the FCT Federal Emergency Management Agency have debunked reports of a bomb explosion in Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday.
The police noted that preliminary findings indicated that an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat and exploded, thereby causing injury to two refuse evacuators, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.
The FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said a rapid response team and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were deployed to assess the situation.
The explosion occurred at about 11:45 pm, 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 was 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 evacuator, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital,” the police said.
Adeh said, “The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on January 24, 2024, at about 11:45am, 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.”
However, when contacted by journalists, the Head of Public Relations, FCT FEMA, Nkechi Isa, said, “Yes there was an explosion. No casualties, FEMA was there. The FCT police are looking into it. It occurred at a dump site.”
