BENIN CITY – The Nigeria Army in Benin City has ruled out terror attack in the explosion that shattered parts of five residential buildings in Benin City on Tuesday, saying the blast was a case of accident.
However, a middle-aged man is being quizzed by operatives of the Edo State Police Command over the explosion.
The suspect, Mr. Ilue Chinedu was alleged to have ignited a heap of refuse on the spot the explosive went off.
Chinedu stated that he only ignited the refuse unknown to him that an explosive was part of it.
The incident occurred in a private residence at Zomi-Zomi Street, Off Upper Sokponba area of Benin City.
The Spokesman for Edo Police Command DSP Osifo Abiodun disclosed this yesterday in the state capital.
He stated further that the command Anti-bomb squad dispatched to the scene have condoned off the area.
DSP Osifo explained that though no life was lost in the blast, the police have lunched full-scale investigation into the incidence.
The building was said to be kidnappers’ den raided by security operatives in 2013.
The kidnappers were believed to have abandoned the explosives while fleeing.
Two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were said to have been recovered and diffused after the explosion by security forces on arrival at the scene last Tuesday.
Commander, 4 Brigade headquarters, Benin City Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya was at the scene of the blast, yesterday.
“By my assessment, it is not a terror attack and not an attack on this place. The people around can bear witness. It could be an accident.
“Something that was buried there exploded. What happened to nearby houses is as a result of the vibrations.
“I am not in a position to say what the building was meant for, but security agencies are always on the trail of all types of criminals. Based on information, we conduct search. Thank God the kidnappers didn’t carry the explosives because they would have used them somewhere else.” Brig-Gen. Farouk stated.
Residents of the area have started counting their losses but grateful that no life was lost.
