JUST IN: Scare As ‘Explosion’ Hits Maitama

There was a loud explosion in the Maitama axis of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, which incited panic among residents.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident amid speculation on social media that it was a bomb blast.

Responding to a query from THE WHISTLER, the FEMA’s Head Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa said, “Yes, there was an explosion. No casualties FEMA was there. The FCT police are looking into it. It occurred at a dump site.”

The FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh in a terse statement titled, ‘Alleged Explosion In Maitama Not Bomb Related; Result Of Overheated Metal Refuse Bin’, read:

“The FCT Police Command hereby wishes to update the public on an alleged explosion on 24/01/2024 at about 1145 hrs, near a refuse dump outside the Bureau of Public Enterprise premises in Maitama, Abuja.

“A rapid response team and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit were deployed to assess the situation and preliminary findings indicate that an overheated metal refuse container activated under intense heat, exploded, thereby causing injury to two of the refuse evacuators, who are currently receiving medical attention in Maitama General Hospital.

“The FCT Police Command urges members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from using metal refuse bins. Instead, we recommend the use of plastic or rubber containers for waste disposal, as they pose a reduced risk of incidents related to overheated metal refuse containers.”