Two killed, three injured in Plateau filling station explosion

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that two people lost their lives and three others were injured in an explosion at a filling station in Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, clarified that the incident was not a bomb blast as earlier claimed in some online reports, but an industrial accident.

According to the police, the explosion occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd during welding operations on an underground storage tank.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police directed immediate deployment of officers to the scene to secure the area and coordinate rescue efforts. The injured victims were rushed to Cottage Hospital in Bokkos for treatment, while the deceased were taken to the morgue.

To ascertain the cause of the explosion, the command also deployed its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit. Preliminary findings confirmed that the incident was accidental and not linked to terrorism or any form of improvised explosive device.

The police identified one of the deceased as 24-year-old Emmanuel Mapak, adding that the three injured victims are currently receiving medical care.

While expressing concern over the incident, the command cautioned against the spread of false information, noting that such reports could trigger unnecessary panic.

Residents were advised to rely on verified updates from official sources, as the police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state.