Scene of explosion at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Calabar. Police say the explosion was caused by gas leakage from the central AC
From Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
A gas cylinder explosion on Friday at the Calabar office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has killed two and injured 18 staff.
The explosion occurred at about 11.am at the premises of the bank off Mmuritall a Mohammed Highway.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Fadairo, told journalists that the explosion was caused by gas cylinders in the CBN office.
According to Fadairo the explosion which caused panic in Calabar, was not a bomb blast.
“The team of expert handling the situation confirmed to me that 18 persons were injured while two others are said to be in a critical situation.The explosion was caused by gas cylinders in the CBN. It is not a bomb blast as it is already being speculated in some corners.
“The police in company of the Navy, Army, FRSC and the Civil Defence were on ground to help the state Fire Service to bring the situation under control. We also assisted the medical team to convey the victims to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were they are currently being attended to,” he said.
An eye witness, Mr Ndubuisi Okeke, who said he was coming out of Access Bank that shares a boundary fence with the CBN, said the explosion happened around 11.am.
Ndubuisi, however, said that the sound of the explosion was too heavy, adding that it caused panic within the area.
“The explosion occurred around 11.am this morning. The explosion was too heavy to behold.I am afraid if that explosion would not claim the lives of CBN staff because it was too heavy,” he said.
A Nurse attached to the state Fire Service, who preferred anonymity, said that she wished the victims would not die because some of them were badly injured.
“While we were trying to convey the victims to the bus, some of them were bleeding badly. I am praying that most of them do not die because the explosion really affected them’’, she said.
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