The Plateau State Government has dismissed reports of an explosion said to have rocked the city of Jos, the state capital.
Multiple reports had surfaced in the morning suggesting that an explosion rocked the area.
The blast, which was said to have occurred around 10:30 AM near the busy Terminus Market area, reportedly left the city in a state of panic.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening explosion, followed by scenes of chaos as people scrambled to safety.
Initial reports suggest that multiple people were injured, with some sources speculating that there may be fatalities, though details remain unconfirmed.
The full extent of the damage is still unclear, but witnesses described widespread destruction and panic in the aftermath of the explosion.
However, Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the state, described it as a mere bomb scare in a telephone conversation.
According to him, a heap of polythene bags, sighted around the area had scared the commuters who feared that a bomb was planted.
“It was actually a bomb scare. People saw a heap of polythene bags and were thinking it was a bomb,” he said in an interview with our reporter.
When asked about the report of sounds of explosion, he responded, “There was no sound of explosion. People saw the place. You understand? So people saw the heap in that place. You know, garbage now. And then they just raised the alarm and the bomb squad arrived at the scene.”
When they searched the area, there was no explosive device found.”
