The Kebbi state government has clarified that the explosion at the general hospital in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state was caused by a fire outbreak and not a bomb blast.
Recall, NAIJAONPOINT reported that residents of Bagudo were thrown into panic early Tuesday after a loud explosion rocked the hospital premises.
In the immediate aftermath, the Kebbi State Police Command assured the public that the security situation was under control.
The police spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said detectives had launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
However, in a subsequent statement, Yahaya Sarki, special adviser on media and publicity to the Kebbi state governor, quoted the secretary to the state government (SSG) as saying that preliminary findings and reports from security agencies indicate that the loud explosion emanated from a fire incident within the hospital staff quarters.
He said that the incident did not involve any explosive device, adding that no lives were lost in the incident.
Sarki further stated that although a building was affected, residents had already evacuated safely before the fire broke out.
He urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
“All security agencies, including the police, military and other relevant units are on top of the situation, while investigations continue to ascertain the exact cause of the fire outbreak,” Sarki said.
He reassured residents of the Kebbi State government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.