3 killed, 10 in critical condition in CBN explosion

The Cross River command of the Nigeria police force has confirmed three persons dead, and 10 in critical condition, from Friday’s gas cylinder explosion at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Calabar, the state capital.

John Eluu, the state police public relations officer (PPRO), disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Saturday.

Eluu said 20 staff of the bank were injured in the explosion, which occurred around 11am, while two others were in critical condition.

“As of yesterday, being Friday, 20 CBN staff members were injured and two were in critical condition immediately after the gas explosion,” he said.
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and I can confirm to you that three of the victims are dead, while 10 are in critical condition.
“Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the cause of the explosion.
“We will continue to monitor the victims as we pray for their survival and quick recovery.”

Eluu dismissed the reports attributing the incident to an attack by the Boko Haram sect.

“I wish to say categorically that the explosion was not a bomb blast by Boko Haram insurgents as it is being rumoured in some corners,” he said.

“Our men from the explosive ordinance department were on ground at the scene of the accident.

“Their investigation shows that it was a gas cylinder explosion from one of the units in the building that caused the blast.”