- The deceased apprentice had since been buried at Kpakungu cemetery, with locals saying the heavy reverberating sound from the explosion created panic.
An explosion in Minna, Niger State capital, has claimed the life one person and left three others with varying degrees of severe injuries.
The explosion was caused by a gas pump cylinder used by a tyre technician, popularly known as vulcaniser.
The deceased in the tragic incident, which happened opposite Kpakungu police division in the State capital, was an apprentice called Haji.
The injured are identified as Mohammed, his son and one other apprentice.
Haji reportedly died at the scene of the explosion while the vulcaniser and two other victims were severely injured.
According to Daily Trust, the incident happened around 1pm when the vulcaniser, who specialised in heavy duty vehicle tyres, was working in his shop.
The explosion reportedly brought down the shop where the cylinder was kept and tore apart the fence of a nearby house.
The deceased apprentice had since been buried at Kpakungu cemetery, with locals saying the heavy reverberating sound from the explosion created panic.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
Abiodun said, “On 25th December, 2024 at about 1.30pm, it was reported at Kpakungu Divison that a gas pump cylinder of a vulcaniser located opposite Kpakungu Div exploded, and unfortunately the vulcaniser and his two apprentices sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but one of the apprentists later died. Others are responding to treatment”.