Fuel Tank Blast Kills Two, Injures Three in Plateau State

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed the death of two persons following an explosion at a filling station in the Daffo District of Bokkos Local Government Area.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, also left three others with varying degrees of injuries.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, the command debunked viral social media reports suggesting the explosion was a bomb blast or an act of terrorism. The police clarified that the blast was an industrial accident that occurred during welding repair works on an underground storage tank.

The Commissioner of Police, having deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to the scene, confirmed that no Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were involved.

One of the deceased was identified as 24-year-old Emmanuel Mapak. The injured victims are currently receiving medical attention at Cottage Hospital, Bokkos, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue.

The command urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could incite panic, maintaining that the situation is under control.