Strange Explosion Rocks Sokoto [Nigeria]

•Police Begin Probe
From Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, 01.11.2008

 

There was pandemoniun  yesterday as a loud explosion emanating from a heavy metal–like object rocked the city of Sokoto.

The object fell from an unknown location and landed at Mana Village,  Sokoto South Local Government Council, at about 10:00p.m. Wednesday night, in the compound of one Bello Mohammed, creating extra ordinary lightning across the metropolis.

THISDAY gathered that  residents were thrown into confusion when they saw an illuminated object moving  before it later exploded.Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, Sir Clement Adoda, who confirmed the incident, said as soon as the incident occured , security personnel  moved swiftly to the village and located the shattered  house.

He said  the object is  a Meteorite, which has completely destroyed  the roof of  Mohammed’s house, and went almost two meters deep into the ground. Adoda also  went with bomb disposal men who took the object to the state police command for further investigation.

He, however, said the police are yet to ascertain where the object came from. No casualty was recorded.

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Meteorite Fall: NGSA Dispels Rumour

From Mohammed Aminu in Sokoto, 01.19.2008


In reaction to the  recent explosions of a heavy metal  object  that rocked Sokoto metropolis, the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has dispelled speculations making rounds in the state  that the meteorite fall  could be an act of sabotage by terrorists or as a result of a misguided millitary action, pointing out that it is a natural act.

The agency also alerted the public on the activities of  some selfish individuals who may go about selling the powdered meteorite or any such materials claiming that they can bring goodluck and are potent against evil spirits.

Addressing newsmen in Sokoto yesterday,its Zonal Co-ordinator, Mr Victor Ozuabide disclosed  that the fall of meteorites do not connote  any foreboding or ill luck, explaining that many meteorites have fallen at desolate places where farmers later mix them together with other country rocks.

In his words, "the fall of a meteorite in Sokoto last week, was a natural act and were  common all over the earth as meteorites can fall any time of the day. Infact, the explosion  does not connote ill luck or  a result of misguided military action as happened at Ikeja millitary cantonment in 2000",

"Thus, we want to let people understand that there is no cause for alarm whatsover. Meteorites are not aphrodisiacs and neither bring goodluck because these types of deception happened at Maigateri in Jigawa three years ago where there was a similar meteorite fall", Ozuabide explained.

According to him, meteorites are rock bodies that fall under gravity to the earth from other planets and often been indicated passing by during the night as very bright and dazzling light that moves terribly fast.

He added that they can vary in size from a few grams to many tonnes, noting that the largest eye witnessed meteorite particles fell in siberia in 1947 and weighed 23 tonnes. It would be recalled that there was pandemonium in Sokoto last week as a result of the explosion of a strange object which fell  in one Malam Bello Mohammed's  House  and destroyed the roof in Mana village outskirts of  Sokoto.

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