Some victims of an explosion in Kabba, Kogi, have described the occurrence as frightening and destructive to the residents of the affected area.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday night around a beer parlour in Kabba, generating controversies about whether or not it was a bomb or gas explosion.
But the police command in the state said that investigations indicated that it was gas explosion.
Narrating their ordeals on Thursday in Kabba in separate interviews, the victims around Lewu junction in Kabba town, the site of the explosion, insisted that no fewer than 16 people were affected.
The victims insisted that the occurrence was bomb explosion, notwithstanding the police statement.
Mr Ladi Olorunfemi, the owner of the beer parlour, said that it was bomb blast that rocked his business premises and not a gas cylinder explosion.
He said that the the only gas cylinder around his business premises is 3kg that a lady was using to prepare snacks.
Olorunfemi described the “attack on his business premises as callous and wicked.
“I want to call on the federal and state governments to please come to our help, particularly to the victims of the blast.
“Many of the injured are in various hospitals for treatment, which calls for government assistance to save their lives.
“Three of the victims are my staff; a pregnant woman and a community chief is amongst the victims of the explosion”.
Similarly, Mrs Bosade Ibrahim, a 20- year old pregnant woman, said that she was about to sleep when the blast occurred.
The eight-month old pregnant woman said “I only woke up to find myself in St. John’s General Hospital, Kabba.
“My family house is attached to the beer parlour, which exposed me to the blast.
“I hope the authorities will come to our aid as some of us (victims) have been transferred to other hospitals for medical attention.”
Also, Chief Matthew Ibeteye, 65, who said he was deafened by the explosion, was admitted in St. John’s General Hospital, Kabba.
He claimed that he and four of his children were also affected by the explosion.
“My daughter, Funke, 25, is badly affected and taken to Abuja for medical attention.
“The other three have been treated and discharged.
“We are appealing for assistance from individuals and government to help us to regain our health,” he pleaded. (NAN)
