- Police urge calm, launch investigation
There was pandemonium on Tuesday morning following a loud explosion at the Kebbi State General Hospital in Bagudo.
However, the Kebbi State Police Command has urged residents not to panic, assuring that the authorities are on top of the situation.
The assurance was conveyed through a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman.
According to the police, a joint security team comprising personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local vigilante groups swiftly cordoned off and secured the affected area shortly after the blast.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) specialists, the statement said, have reportedly been deployed to conduct a detailed assessment of the scene.
The command confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident. Although a building within the hospital’s staff quarters sustained damage, occupants had reportedly evacuated the area before the explosion occurred.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State has ordered additional tactical deployments to the area to ensure the maintenance of public order and safety.
A detailed investigation has also been launched to determine the cause of the explosion.
Residents have been advised to remain calm and avoid the immediate vicinity of the hospital to allow security agencies to carry out their operations without hindrance.
The police said further updates would be communicated as investigations progress.