The Police have confirmed the explosion at a petrol station in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State that killed two people, and left three others with sustained injuries.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
Alabo dismissed the reports online that the incident was a bomb blast.
He added that the explosion occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd while repair work was ongoing on an underground storage tank.
The statement added, “The Plateau State Police Command has been drawn to certain false, misleading and alarmist reports currently circulating, alleging that there was a bomb blast and outbreak of crisis in Plateau State.
“The Plateau State Police Command received a report of an explosion which occurred at Natty Petroleum Investment Nigeria Ltd, a filling station located in Daffo District, while welding repair works were being carried out by artisans.”
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State recently convened a high-level security meeting with former governors and key stakeholders to renew efforts to tackle the persistent wave of violence across the state.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the meeting comes amid renewed attacks in parts of Plateau, which have left scores dead and properties destroyed, further deepening concerns over the fragile security situation in the North-Central state.
The meeting may not be unconnected to the recent attack on Anguwan Rukuba and the ensuing violence in surrounding communities, where dozens of residents were reportedly killed.
The latest incidents are part of a troubling pattern of attacks that have plagued Plateau for years, with hundreds of people, including women and children, losing their lives in recurring cycles of violence.