The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched a Search and Operations team to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto State to evaluate the condition of victims affected by the explosion at the Chemical Market in Talata-Mafara, Zamfara State.
The explosion, which occurred on Tuesday, was reportedly caused by the improper disposal of a cigarette near gunpowder, triggering a massive fire. The incident left 50 people injured, with various levels of burns and other wounds.
In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, NEMA confirmed that “three fatalities had been recorded,” while “46 injured persons were receiving treatment at the Usman Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital due to the severity of their conditions.” The agency noted that the victims were receiving care across different hospital units, including the Orthopaedic Ward, Surgical Unit, ICU Burns Unit, and ENT Division.
Meanwhile, former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdul Aziz Yari, has pledged to cover all medical expenses for those injured in the explosion. Speaking to journalists in Talata-Mafara, the Zonal Coordinator of Senator Yari’s Constituency Office, Alhaji Sha’aya’u Sarkin Pawa, confirmed that Yari had instructed the immediate transfer of the victims to the hospital in Sokoto for urgent medical care.
“As I am speaking to you, following the directives, we have evacuated over 50 victims to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, for urgent medical attention,” Sarkin Pawa said. “We are going to pay for all their medical bills as directed by Senator Yari.”
He also expressed appreciation to security agencies and volunteers for their quick intervention in managing the crisis.
Earlier, the Chairman of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, Alhaji Yahaya Yari, confirmed that two victims had lost their lives, while 42 others were receiving treatment.
“We are trying to gather what happened from the scene of the incident to professionally ascertain the cause of the explosion,” he stated.
