Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two civilians in the bomb explosion that rocked the Second Amphibious Brigade (Bori Camp), Port Harcourt, on Wednesday night.
While one person died on the spot, the other victim died on the way to the hospital. Already, the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary of Military Hospital, Port Harcourt.
Commander of the Second Amphibious Brigade, Brigadier General Samuel A. Salihu, who disclosed this yesterday in a chat with newsmen, said six other persons, including two women and four boys were critically injured.
Army authorities reaction confirmed THISDAY exclusive story on the incident yesterday.
According to Salihu, the injured persons, who are all civilians, are presently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The military officer who condemned foreign media reports, which said the explosion was as a result of militants attack, said this was based on preliminary reports on the incident, which made many residents within and outside the barrack to run helter-skelter.
Conducting newsmen round the scene of the incident, Army Public Relations Officer (APRO), Major Sagir Musa, said the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigerian Police has already visited the area to take samples for further investigations.
�It is the outcome of these investigations that will enable us to determine whether the explosion was caused by bomb or dynamite. Anybody that says anything else before the conclusion of these investigations is only speculating. And we will not accept that,� Musa said.
A Mercedes benz saloon car which was destroyed beyond recognition was said to be carrying substances suspected to be bomb which exploded while the driver was passing through the barrack.
A Toyota Hilux truck with registration number, Rivers AG 361 ABM, a motorcycle, and a Peugeot 504 saloon car with registration number, Rivers AE 422 RUM were destroyed by the explosion which also affected the roofing and electrical appliances of nearby houses.