Panic as explosion rocks Niger community

Residents of Niger have been thrown into panic following an explosion that occurred in Galadima Kogo community of the state.

Yusuf Kokki, co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.

The development comes days after an explosive device detonated in Galadima Kogo community in Shiroro LGA, killing 10 persons including security operatives.

According to Kokki, the explosion occurred around 6pm on Friday.

“Casualty figure could not be ascertained at the moment as the affected areas are not yet accessible due to fear of further possible explosions. Though preliminary reports are not, however, suggestive of any loss,” he said.

TheCable understands that the explosion was heard by security operatives stationed at Erena, while they were travelling through Galadima Kogo to Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA.

Speaking with TheCable on Friday, Salis Sabo, spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Youths, said the security operatives who reported the incident said the explosion was heard twice.

“The security operatives stationed at Erena, who usually patrol the area, reported that they heard the explosion while they were on their way to Kuta this evening,” he said

“They heard the explosion twice, immediately after their vehicle passed Galadima Kogo village.”

Emmanuel Umar, commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and internal security, was said to have also confirmed the explosion but said the nature of the blast was yet to be ascertained.

According to him, bomb experts have been deployed to the area to determine the situation and if there were casualties.

“We are not sure what the explosion is. It could be anything — a burst tyre or a gas explosion,” he said.

“We will not be able to tell exactly what it is at the moment because I heard a car passed and then an explosion happened.

“We are hearing different versions of the story, so we can’t hold onto any for now until our experts have visited the scene and carried out preliminary investigations.”