Explosion: Normalcy gradually returns to Kano

Normalcy has gradually returned to Aba Road in Sabon Gari where gas explosion killed nine people and injured at least 3 others in Kano State on Tuesday.

The Star correspondent, who visited the scene of the explosion and the neighborhood on Wednesday, observed that some shops and businesses have opened for their daily business transactions.

Although schools and shops linked to the scene of the explosion did not open, many others opened theirs amid movement of visitors who continue to visit the scene.

“As you can see Winners School, Winners Kid Academy, and Fimbal Royal School are still shut but shops there are open,” a trader, identified as Emeka John, said.

All the shops linked to the above three schools, although not touched by the unfortunate incident, were also shut on Wednesday.

A businessman, who owns a shop opposite to the scene who simply identified himself as Ekenna, said he opened his shop on Wednesday “because things have calmed down and everything is going well now.

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“I opened my shop today because yesterday I didn’t. This is where I get what to,” Ekenna said.

Also speaking, a resident and shop owner, Peter Udoko, said his daughter was in Winners Kid Academy, close to the point of explosion when the incident occurred.

He said: “I thank God that the explosion did not touch the school. It would have been more traumatising but God helped us.

“She’s safe now that is why I opened the shop as you can see. May God continue to save us.”

Another shop owner, who declined to be named, said he lost a neighbour in the gas explosion.

“Mr Ejike came and didn’t change clothes. He was waiting for his mobile tea seller to come and serve him but he couldn’t make it.

“Another good man, Oga Mike who sells chemicals very good neighbour too died in the explosion,” he said.

Amidst mourning by those who lost their relatives and survivors recuperating, visitors have since been thronging the scene to catch glimpse of the aftermath of the evacuation.

Police and soldiers were still at the scene with three vehicles consisting two Hilux and one Sharon bus on Wednesday.

The Star