President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met the families of victims of the explosion in Kano to express his condolences and that of the nation.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that Buhari, who had visited Kano to officiate at the Nigerian Air Force Day and 58th Anniversary Celebration, veered off the official program to start with a condolence visit to the Palace.
The statement was titled ‘President Buhari meets victims of Kano explosion, expresses sorrow.’
At least nine persons were killed and 22 others were injured last Tuesday after an explosion that led to the collapse of a building close to a popular market in Sabon Gari area of Kano.
Shehu, said that the family members of the deceased, accompanied by various community leaders resident in Sabon Gari, including the Eze Igbo, Nicholas Ibekwe, were assembled at the Palace of the Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero for the meeting with the President.
In a brief address, the President said he was “extremely pained by the loss of lives and injury to many due to the explosion,” adding “my thoughts and that of the nation are with the bereaved families. I hope the injured will recover fully at the earliest possible time.”
President Buhari who was accompanied by the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during the visit, drew parallels between Kano and his native Daura and described the palace of the Emir as his own home.
He commended the traditional institution and the people of Kano for standing with him at all times.
In his remarks, the Emir thanked the President for the condolences and commended him for providing fair and just leadership.
He conveyed Kano community’s appreciation for the numerous things the federal government is doing in the state and prayed for the emergence of good leaders in the coming elections.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje announced cash support in various sums for the families of the deceased, the injured and others whose property were partly damaged or destroyed.
Kano explosion: Police confirm it’s IED, arrest 2, impound vehicle with bombs
Meanwhile, Kano State Police Command has confirmed that last Tuesday’s explosion that rocked Kano was from Improvised Explosive Device, IED, and not gas cylinder as earlier claimed, even as two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
This development reportedly followed an outcome of investigation by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense, EOD-CBRN, and Operation Puff Ader.
Also, names of the victims who died in the explosion and whose bodies were recovered and names released by the Police were Ejike Vincent (welder), Michael Adejo (chemical seller), Musa Kalla (tea seller), Christiana Abosede and Mary.
Others were Austin Dada, Madam Owoleke, Omo Ben and Bose Oladapo.
The State Police Command, in a statement through its Public Relations Officer, PRO, Haruna Kiyawa, informed that “preliminary investigation revealed that among the nine victims of the explosion, one of them dealt in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.
He was later identified as Michael Adejo (now late). Items recovered at the scene include five bottles of different brands of Acidic Liquid, three bags of Potassium substance, one Jeri can of mixed chemicals, six and a half cartons of Snuff (Tobacco) and five drums of Polymer (Chemical).
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday donated about N16 million to the bereaved families of the people killed in last Tuesday’s explosion in the Sabon Gari area of the town.
Ganduje made the announcement of his donation on his official Facebook page.
He said the donation was a gesture aimed to give some succour to the families of the bereaved.
The governor said he sympathised with the bereaved families.
He said each of the families of the nine persons who loss their lives were given N1 million (one million naira) and the owner of African centre whose building was destroyed was given two million naira, while the owner of a nearby Winners Primary School was given N1 million.
He said each of the ten people seriously wounded in the incident was given N200,000 (two hundred thousand naira) and the slightly wounded persons were given N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira) each.
