The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed four persons dead in an accidental explosion that occurred on Thursday at the Police Anti-bomb Squad Office in Jimeta, Adamawa State.
Freedom Online learned that four policemen – Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), an Inspector and two Corporals – were killed in the blast.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Senior Information Officer, NEMA, in Abuja on Thursday.
It said the explosion occurred about noon and the injured persons taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.
According to the statement, nearby Jimeta Primary School, Post Office, old NITEL building and some neighbouring houses were affected.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Gazali, said the blast at the Jimeta Police Station was caused by bombs recovered from Boko Haram insurgents.
Gazali told newsmen in Yola that the recovered bomb exploded from the store used by the Police Command to warehouse exhibits.
He said that most of those affected by the blast were policemen.
“Policemen were mostly affected and we don’t know the actual casualties for now as the place is not yet safe for us to go in,” Gazali said.
The explosion also affected the walls of Majalisa Primary School where some pupils were injured.
Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, confirmed that the pupils sustained minor injuries and had been treated and discharged from hospital.
The station where the blast occurred contained offices of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Motor Traffic Department (MTD) and the police tailoring section.
The incident led to hurried closure of markets and schools in the area as residents scamper home for safety.
Adamawa State Government also confirmed the bomb blast.
Mr Harun Furo, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Executive Chairman of Adamawa Emergency Management Agency, Yola, confirmed the incident.
Furo said that the detail of damage caused by the blast was yet to be ascertained.
