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.
Meanwhile, two refuse evacuators who sustained injuries from the incident are receiving medical attention at the Maitama General Hospital.
Our correspondent gathered that a bang occurred at a dump site outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday.
A resident revealed, “It was not a bomb explosion that occurred at Maitama. There was a bang at a dump site outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, and the sudden loud, sharp noise that was heard was caused by an eruption from a metallic waste bin that had been heated by the sun. And police EOD have been deployed to the scene, and calm has been restored in the area.”
Meanwhile, 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 police further warned FCT residents against the usage of metallic refuse bins, while recommending the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal to reduce the risk of related incidents of over-heated metal refuse containers.
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.”
