Akure explosion probe: Police, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency collaborate

Akure explosion probe: Police, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency collaborate

Monday, March 30, 2020 2:51 pm


The explosion site in Akure. Meteor or bomb?

Was there more to what the Nigerian Police, Ondo State Command, said was the cause of the recent explosion that destroyed no fewer than 100 houses in Eleyowo village on the Akure-Owo highway near the Akure Airport, Ondo State? The police explained that explosives being escorted by the Ordnace Unit exploded. However, critics asked probing questions: whereabouts of wreckage of the truck, the deep crater, extent of the destruction and others. Some critics even said it was the impact of fragments of asteroid from outer space!

Now the Inspector General of Police, M.A Adamu has said the Police are collaborating in the investigation with the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) – the nation’s leading Research and Development Institution that is the sole repository of all geo-scientific data. The Agency, as Adamu puts it, has a state-of-the-art laboratory with the capacity and expertise to carry out a wide range of geo-scientific examinations including Laboratory/Forensic Examinations, Geochemical Analysis of Rocks, Minerals, Water, Sewage, Soil Samples and Site Investigations amongst others. The IGP hopes that with the involvement of NGSA, the quality and integrity of investigations into the explosion will be greatly enhanced.

The Team which is headed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Maikudi A. Shehu, is made up of police officers from the Police Bomb Disposal Squad (Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit) which is a specialized arm of the Police that oversees explosives and ordinance operations of the Force including controlled detonation, safe evacuation, sweeping, assessment, analysis, intelligence and investigations touching on bombs and all forms of explosives related incidents.

 

Below is the full statement, signed by: Dcp Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has set-up a Special Investigation Team to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the unfortunate tragic explosion that occurred at Ogbese near Akure, the Ondo State Capital on Friday, 27th March, 2020.

The Team which is headed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Maikudi A. Shehu, is made up of police officers from the Police Bomb Disposal Squad (Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit) which is a specialized arm of the Police that oversees explosives and ordinance operations of the Force including controlled detonation, safe evacuation, sweeping, assessment, analysis, intelligence and investigations touching on bombs and all forms of explosives related incidents.

The Investigation Team will work jointly with experts from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) – the nation’s leading Research and Development Institution that is the sole repository of all geo-scientific data. The Agency has a state-of-the-art laboratory with the capacity and expertise to carry out a wide range of geo-scientific examinations including Laboratory/Forensic Examinations, Geochemical Analysis of Rocks, Minerals, Water, Sewage, Soil Samples and Site Investigations amongst others. The IGP hopes that with the involvement of NGSA, the quality and integrity of investigations into the explosion will be greatly enhanced.

The IGP however enjoins the citizens especially those living around the scene of the incident to avoid the area so as not to tamper with the scene of incident and the ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, the IGP sympathizes with the government and people of Ondo State particularly victims that sustained injuries or lost their property as a result of the incident. He calls for calm and assures that the outcome of investigations will be made public.”

 

 

 


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