The Kano State Police Command says the blast which killed nine persons and brought down a building in the Sabon Gari area is suspected to be the result of mixed chemical/gas reactions exposed to a source of heat.
The May 17 incident was initially blamed on a gas cylinder explosion.
Police now say one of the persons killed by the blast was dealing in illicit storage of toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials.
According to a statement from the police, the following items were recovered from the store operated by the person:
- Five (5) bottles of acidic liquid
- Three (3) bags of Potassium substance
- One (1) Jerrycan of mixed chemicals
- Six and a half (6.5) cartons of snuff
- Five (5) drums of Polymer
Police Release Names of the Deceased
The police have also released the names of the nine persons killed in the blast. They are:
- Ejike Vincent (welder)
- Michael Adejo (chemical seller)
- Musa Kalla (tea seller)
- Christiana Abosade
- Mary
- Austine Dada
- Madam Owoleke
- Omo Ben
- Bose Oladapo
Eight other persons, including students of a nearby primary school, were injured and have been treated and discharged.
Police say an arrest has been made and that the case is under investigation but have given no further details.
