An explosion that occurred at the popular multi-million Naira Onitsha Drugs Market on Tuesday afternoon killed four persons and left several others wounded.
The explosion which started at the chemical section of the market also known as Ogbo Ogwu also destroyed shops and goods worth millions of naira.
According to an eyewitness, Chief Emeka Umeagbalasi who is also the chairman of Intersociety, a human rights group, the explosion happened when the market was filled up.
"Well, it was a few minutes past noon when markets were jam-packed as a result of Monday's sit-at-home.
That was when the explosion occurred causing panic, and forcing a lot of traders to run in different directions.
" It was at the Chemical section of the Onitsha Drugs Market which shares a line market with Tools and Allied Market situated at Bridgehead Central Market.
"The explosion also busted and lifted concrete and stones and forced them to fly in directions hitting some running traders at terminal regions; causing injuries and bruises.
"The line shops at which the chemicals exploded were razed down and turned into rubble.
About three market lines were also gutted by fires and as it stands, four persons died and scores were injured.
"It took the intervention of the Federal Fire Service in Delta State to struggle for hours to put out the fire.
"The rickety Anambra State Fire Service also came but offered skeletal services owing to the faulty nature of their nuzzles.
Image:Vanguard.
"it is still sketchy as to what caused the explosion but the chemical substances bore semblances of materials used in the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs.
"The Police team led by the Onitsha Area Commander arrived at the scene at 2.08 pm or two hours after the explosion occurred.
"As at past 6 pm, the officials of the Market and Fire Service were still battling to put out the fire from the scene. The entire market was forced to close minutes after the explosion."
The Chairman Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo also confirmed the incident saying, " Yes it happened, but I do not know the number of casualties now, because our men are still on the ground working."
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer for Anambra state command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga said, “The casualty figure is not certain now, but our operatives are there, and the situation has been brought under control.”
However, the Chairman of the Drugs market Mr. Chukwulota Ndubisi, declined comment on the incident when contacted by Vanguard stating that he could not talk then as they were battling to put out the fire completely.
"Please I cannot comment on the fire incident now, we are trying to put it out completely to avoid spreading to other sections of the market, and again, I cannot talk now for some reasons, I will call you later to address you.”
No Police Checkpoint Was Attacked.
In a separate development, the Police in Anambra state have refuted the report that some yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Tuesday attacked a police checkpoint along the Ihiala- Uli road axis of the state.
According to the Tribune online, the spokesperson of the command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement described the report as the handiwork of mischief makers and urged the public to disregard the information.
The statement reads, "The Command wishes to let the members of the public know, that there is no such incident of any attack on police checkpoints in Anambra state.
“Please kindly disregard it, it is an act of mischief makers who want to incite tension in the state.
“The Police shall continue to provide security and enhance peace in the state,” DSP Ikenga started.
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