Kano Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakorihas ordered a thorough investigation into the factory explosion that killed five people and injured 10 others at Yongxing Steel Company in the state on Saturday.

CP Bakori led early responders, including the command’s team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear wears to secure the scene of blast, to avert further damages, police said.

Police spokesman, Hussaini Abdullahi, said the police swung to action following a distress call from the marketing manager of Yongxing Steel Company, one Ibrahim Udazu, about the explosion at the factory’s premises.

He said, upon arriving there, the scene of explosion was immediately cordoned to restrict access as cautionary measure, and the police EOD personnel professionally recovered seven suspected devices, without hurt.

The affected company, which deals in scraps, is located along Ring Road, Mariri Quarters of Kano metropolis.

Witnesses told The Nation that the blast also caused deafening panic to residents in the entire area.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the explosion occurred from a truck loaded with scraps from Damaturu, Yobe State, while offloading at the company’s premises.

“As a result, 15 people sustained varying degrees of injury and were immediately rushed to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

“Regrettably, five of the victims died while receiving treatment. Meanwhile, others are responding to treatment.

“The State Commissioner of Police has directed a detailed investigation, and urged the public to remain calm and be vigilant, while cooperating with the police to get to the root cause of the unfortunate incident.

“The Command requests residents to kindly report any useful information or suspicious activities to the police,” Abdullahi, a DSP, said in in a statement. (The Nation)