Confusion as explosion rocks Enugu

Fear has gripped residents of Enugu after a massive explosion on Monday night rocked the city, inflicting severe injuries on scores of residents.

The explosion was so loud that it was immediately attributed to improvised explosive devices.

The incident reportedly occurred at the country home of a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Mr. Tony Eze, in Amokwe, Udi Local Government Area.

Our correspondent learnt that occupants of the building, where the explosion occurred, fled their homes in a bid to escape a suspected bomb ‘attack’.

It was gathered that no life was lost, and the wounded, who were rushed to the hospital for medical attention, were said to be responding to treatment.

Our correspondent observed on Tuesday that the explosion was a major cause for concern and speculation, among residents of Enugu.

The Enugu State Police Command has said the incident was caused by an accidental explosion of ‘high calibre fireworks’, which were stored in a container in the compound.

The police revealed that a trailer load of fireworks was brought into the house on March 15.

The police did not disclose the identity of the persons who brought the fireworks into the building – it also did not explain why a large amount of the material was procured.

There are insinuations that the fireworks were to be used in ‘official’ celebrations, but that has not been confirmed as at the time of filing this report.

Enugu State police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who revealed results of an “instant analysis” of the explosion in a statement, said men of the Explosive Ordinance Department and other operatives have cordoned off the scene of the explosion.

Amaraizu added that the police had commenced full scale investigations into the incident in order to find out the cause of the sudden explosion.

He added, “The Enugu State command of the Nigeria Police Force through its operatives have commenced a full scale investigations into an incident of explosion at Amokwe Udi in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state on Monday with a view to finding out the possible cause of the explosion.

“It was, however, gathered that some of the injured have been taken to the hospitals just as men of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the Enugu State Command have cordoned off the place with other operatives.

“Meanwhile, instant analysis of the incident by the operatives of the EODepartment on ground at the scene of the explosion revealed that it was occasioned by high calibre pyrotechnics (fireworks) in a large quantity packed in the house of the owner that exploded.”

Confusion as explosion rocks Enugu