UPDATE - Gas explosion kills 9 people in northern Nigeria

REVISES DEATH TOLL; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE; ADDS DETAILS

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commiserated with the victims of a gas explosion near a private secondary school in the Sabon Gari area of northern Kano state, where officials confirmed nine fatalities.

The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered so far from the rubble of a collapsed residential building following the explosion from a gas cylinder along Aba Road, which reportedly happened at an animal feed store.

Osinbajo visited the scene of the explosion while on a visit to the city of Kano to meet with All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates prior to the party's primary election.

The explosion destroyed a residential building and affected part of Winners School as well as nearby businesses and homes.

Security agencies have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation along with a rescue operation.

There was reportedly a welder in the area at the time of the explosion and his gas cylinder exploded very close to the school.

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the state would take measures to regulate welding vocations in densely populated areas to avert future occurrences.

A resident of the Sabon Gari area, Joseph Abiodun, who participated in the rescue of some victims confirmed that at least nine bodies were recovered.

"The explosion occurred around 10 a.m. (0900GMT). Because there was no excavator immediately after the incident, we used our hands and some light equipment to bring out the bodies," he said.

He confirmed that some chemicals were found in shops that were badly damaged by the explosion which were handed over to security personnel.

Pastor Mike Ajibola, whose church was a few meters away, said over 50 children from nearby Winners School were rescued with few injuries.

The head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib Ahmed, was at the site of the incident and coordinated the rescue operations.

The agency revealed that 10 people have so far been rescued alive and two were discharged from the hospital after treatment among several other injured.

Ahmed instructed the NEMA rescue team to remain at the site until the conclusion of the rescue and to work together with security agencies and other response organizations present at the location.