Explosion rocks Abuja shopping plaza

A scene of a gas explosion at Shagari Plaza, opposite
 Area One shopping complex, Garki, Abuja...on Thursday.

Residents scampered for safety on Thursday as explosion rocks Shagari Plaza on Moshood Abiola Way, Garki-Area One, Abuja.

The quick succession in which the explosion occurred made customers and neighbours to scamper into safety. Many expressed fears that it was a bomb explosion.

But an eyewitness account said the first explosion occurred at about 5:17pm when a gas cylinder exploded. A jeep parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flames.

The gas retailer, who tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders, was also caught in the explosion while trying to save his earnings for the day. “He kept it under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded,” another eyewitness said.

Another witness said the retailer took delivery of the gas supply on Wednesday.

“They just supplied him the gas yesterday (Wednesday). We are surprised because we still don’t know what happened. We only heard a big bang,” he said.

The retailer was said to be receiving treatments at an undisclosed hospital as of the time of filing this report.

Stern looking soldiers were seen leaving the plaza when our correspondents got there.