Four confirmed dead in CBN Calabar office explosion

Peter Inyali, Calabar

Contrary to reports that over 18 people died in the Central Bank of Nigeria, Calabar gas explosion, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)  has confirmed that only four people are dead so far from the incident.

The Director General of (SEMA) Mr. John Inaku confirmed this to newsmen in Calabar yesterday.

According to the SEMA boss, investigation showed that the explosion was caused by gas explosion not locally made improvised as reported by some newspapers.

“So far, we can confirm that four people not eighteen have died from the CBN explosion. Two people died at the scene of the accident, one person died yesterday and another today.

“Five people are still under critical situation while others who are in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Navy Hospital Calabar are responding to treatment “, he said.

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele who visited the scene of the accident today to ascertain the damage however refused to brief newsmen as he insisted it was a private visit.

National Daily recalls that Friday, March 11 witnessed an unprecedented pandemonium for residents of Calabar, capital city of Cross State as an undisclosed number of persons were feared dead while several others sustained different degree of injuries from the Gas explosion at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Calabar.

The explosion which occurred at about 12:00 noon caused pandemonium across the state capital as it was alleged to be a bomb blast.

Although there was yet to be official statement on the specific number of casualties in the incident, it was rumoured that the number of victims at 48. 18 killed and over 30 were receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

A visit by our correspondent to the scene of the incident along Murutala Mohammed Highway, Calabar, fire trucks were noticed in the premises of the branch of the apex bank and ambulances were coming in and out, conveying casualties to the hospital.

Among the rescue teams were Men of the Nigeria Police, Army, Navy, Civil Defence and other paramilitary organizations.

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An official of Fire Service who begged not to mentioned, said that “the number of casualties and properties damaged may be higher than we initially thought but we will make official statement when we have the actual figure”.

The Commissioner of Police, Henry Faidairo, who came with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar, Baba-Adisa Bolanta, said that the explosion was suspected to be from gas from the central air-conditioning unit.

According the Commissioner, “This is just an initial assessment, and it is not confirmed yet. It is when a final result has been given that we will confirm what really happened”.

When our reporter visited the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, the emergency room was full to the brim as doctors and nurses were making frantic efforts to cater for victims.

A medical doctor who spoke in anonymity said that, ” As you can see, so many people were burnt beyond recognition but we are trying pur best to see how we can save as many as those who are not yet confirmed death”.