At least 18 individuals have been injured after a gasoline cylinder exploded within the workplace of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, on Friday.
Two victims have been reported to be in critical condition.
The explosion, which occurred at about 11am, shattered the banking corridor of the apex financial institution.
The financial institution, positioned alongside Calabar Road, created a site visitors’ jam between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as a mixed safety group of the Navy, Army, Police, Civil Defence, and others assisted officers of the state Fire Service to deliver the state of affairs under control.
Thousands of passersby and commuters scampered for security because the explosion was initially mistaken for a bomb explosion.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Henry Fadairo, later confirmed that the explosion was attributable to gasoline cylinders.
Fadairo stated that the explosion, which had triggered panic within the state capital, was not a bomb explosion as speculated in some corners.
He stated, “The team of experts handling the situation confirmed to me that 18 persons were injured while two others are said to be in a critical situation.
“It is not a bomb blast as it is already being speculated in some corners. The police in the company of the Navy, Army, FRSC and Civil Defence were on the 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, where they are currently being attended to.”
An eyewitness, Mr. (*18*) Okeke, who stated he was popping out of an Access Bank department beside the CBN when the explosion occurred, said it immediately triggered panic throughout the space.
A nurse hooked up to the state fireplace service, who most preferred to remain anonymous, stated that she prayed the victims survive, as a result, a few 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 affected them,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the CBN workplace is presently below tight safety standards, with armed policemen strategically positioned across the premises. Normal vehicular motion has been restored as of this report’s submission.
At the financial institution’s gate, the workers’ families have been seen crying. They demanded to see their family working within the financial institution.
When approached, an official of the financial institution declined to comment, saying, “We are traumatised right now. No one can talk.”
The Acting Inspector-General of Police in command of Zone 6, Calabar, Mr Baba-Adisa Bolanta, who additionally inspected the scene, stated that the explosion was suspected to have been from the gasoline cylinder within the central air-conditioning unit.
“This is just an initial assessment, and it is not confirmed yet. When a final result has been given, we will confirm what happened,” he stated.
Also, the Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Mr John Inaku, described the catastrophe as unlucky.
He appealed to the general public to stay calm, as related safety businesses have been concerned about the state of affairs.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government has suggested that most people exercise restraint following the explosion.
Shortly after appraising the extent of injury attributable to the explosion, the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, expressed shock at the enormity of the devastation.
Esu assured the CBN workers that the state authorities would assist in allowing it to proceed with regular operations, while investigation and rehabilitation work would start.
The state CBN Controller, Dr Graham Kalio, stated the explosion occurred out of the blue on the banking corridor with its attendant harmful impacts resonating throughout constructionists.
