By Luka Binniyat
Kaduna (crocodile in Hausa), went wild again last Wednesday after a bombed went off on a busy street, reverberating through the town, killing and injuring people and tearing down the heart of men and women of goodwill whose tears could not put the ensuing flame that has become so common place in this northern city.

From April till date, at least seven bomb incidences have been reported here, where fierce, mindless religious and ethnic wars have become the order of the day.

However, Kaduna State Police Spokesman, DSP Aminu Lawal, fielding questions from reporters at the scene of the incident, said: “It is too early to conclude that it was bomb that exploded. Our anti-bomb squad are already here and working. I believe that by tomorrow, they should tell us the cause of the explosion. But remember that in these shops, they sell incendiary materials and chemicals that can explode. We must not rule that out this possibility please.”

But eye witnesses said that two men may have been transporting the objects of mass destruction on a motorcycle when it inadvertently detonated, making a mince meat of their bodies and setting off a series of deadly blasts that brought down six shops and at least a dozen living quarters on Ogbomosho street, off Katsina Road, just a stone throw from Kaduna main market.

When Saturday Vanguard arrived at the scene, thousands of anxious onlookers, honking vehicles and impatient okada riders had created a bedlam.

A huge ball of fire with biloows of thick dark smoke thickened the air.

Some rescue efforts were already in progress. Brave men dared the smoldering flames, wrapping themselves in water-soaked blankets and crawling down to where someone was wailing for help.

Some fetched water and shot it into the fire. Others climbed rooftops removing the top in search of ways to reached into the sides of the living quarters. Many more were shoveling sand into the fire. Another group tried to salvage some goods.

Thousands of distraught onlookers, including thousand more who may not care, took vantage positions to watch the grim spectacle.

Then the Police arrived. They made a feeble attempt to control the crowd, but were overwhelmed.

Soon after, men of Kaduna state fire service hit the scene. They were booed and jeered by the crowd for appearing about 30 munites, when their formation was less than a kilometre away.

But all the same, they went to work. Shooting powerful jets of water into the inferno.

A man crawled out from under a collapsed shop, to a loud joy of celebration.

Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency also arrived later. Almost the same time with the army. The Federal Road Safety Corps also announced its presence in a motorcade of wailing sirens.

It took no time for the police and the army to start driving away people at the scene, including the pioneers of the rescue. Journalists were also sent away, but later allowed after they staged a protest.

The crowd proved too large and stubborn to be driven away. The army figured what to do. They started firing into the air. This started a pandemonium. People were running and falling atop each other. The weaker ones were trampled over. But in no time the crowd surged back.

The Police and the army started clubbing those in the front. As they tried to run back, those at their back pushied them back into the big sticks of the soldiers. There was blood on the ground. The crowd was too obstinate to handle. So the soldiers started shooting into the air again. This time more ferocious. The sea of human scampered for safety.

From afar, they started throwing stones at the soldiers. The stones hit some rescuers, injuring them.

As at the time that Saturday Vanguard left, eight persons were confirmed dead, six critically injured.

Here are some accounts of the incidents:

Fabian Ugochukwu (32) owns one of the affected shops. He spoke to newsman in tears. “It was around 9 this morning. It was not long that I opened the shop. Three boys were working on my Lister Generators. They are of 16, 17 and 22 years of age. I saw two boys on a small motorcycle. They were carrying something in between them. When they reached our shops. They stopped as if to adjust the thing. The next thing I heard was a loud explosion. The ground shook. I can’t tell you how I escaped. It is only God”, he said.

“The three boys were killed. Because the generator also exploded and the building came down on them. Oh God! . . .”

He said that other affected shops also had their power generating sets working, and that they also exploded in resonance to the first explosion.

Emmanuel Eburo (27) also tends one of the shops. He narrated his experience to the Press as thus:

“I saw two men on a bike. When they reached these shops, it was like someone called out to them. And they stopped. They were carrying something in a box, or something like that. Then I heard the explosion. I was saved by the miracle of God. Our generators also exploded. The explosion brought bring down the shops. Right now, some of my friends are still trapped in that flame. I have never experienced this in my life. I don’t believe that we are under any attack, because I have been living here since I was kid and I have never witnessed this kind of problem. It was like they were heading somewhere”, he said.

Abdulwaheed Babalola (36)

I am a mechanic around this place. From my shop, I heard an explosion. When I looked in the direction of these shops, I saw somebody running with flames all over his body. As people were shouting and looking for water to pour on him, there was another explosion and another one. So, I took to my heels. It was the end of the world.

Sunday Anyigbobu (40)

I entered one of these shops to collect N1000 from a friend. Then we started discussing Sam Loco’s death and how a funny guy he was. Then I took excuse to go and ease myself outside at the other end. Then I returned. Before I knew what was happening, I just heard a loud sound, that rattled the shop. I kept my hands on my head. The ceiling fell down on us. The shop collapsed. I managed to escape after pulling myself through an opening I saw. But I am not sure my friend is alive. Because he is still there. Look at the fire! The explosion was outside the shop. I did not see any body apart from the small boys that I saw burnt. I have been calling the one guy’s number but his number is not going. I can confirm the dead of three people, one Igbo and two Hausa people living inside the compound. The Igbo’s name is Ebuka. Inside the shop, there is no battery. We sell Peugeot parts and truck parts here. There is nothing explosive in these shops. The explosion was in front of the shop though I can not say precisely the exact time, but it was in the morning.

Oke Oke

The boys came on a motor cycle with something. It exploded. It killed them and their machine got burnt. I don’t know how many people died now. I can’t remember any name now. I sell motor spare parts here. . .

The common view held by respondents suggests that it was a bomb explosion. The police are yet to come up with their side of the story.