Yobe: Panic as explosion rocks Damaturu, casualties recorded

Residents of the local government, who thought it was a Boko Haram attack, had scampered to safety following the blast.

An explosion in Damaturu, Yobe State has left one person dead, and two injured, including a soldier, Lt. George Okupe, the Army spokesman in the state said on Wednesday, August 24.

Okupe said it was an accidental explosion, contrary to news making the rounds.

It was gathered that residents of the local government, who thought it was a Boko Haram attack, had scampered to safety following the blast.

But Okupe explained that it was a welding gas explosion.

He said: “It was an accidental explosion from a welding tank when a welder was working on a pipe for a soldier.

“The welder died instantly while the soldier and one other civilian sustained injuries and are responding to treatment at the Specialists Hospital Damaturu."

He urged the people not to panic, saying the situation is under control and that they can go about their normal businesses.