On Saturday, a devastating gas explosion in the Sabon Tasha area of Kaduna Metropolis claimed the lives of six individuals, including Professor Simon P. Mallam, a prominent physicist and the chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
Professor Mallam had visited a barber’s shop near the site of the explosion, identifiable by his green Toyota Highlander parked outside. Tragically, he was among those trapped when the building collapsed, leading to his untimely demise. The inferno resulting from the explosion completely razed the building housing the gas shop.
A statement from the Kagoro community, confirming Prof. Mallam’s death, was shared by Francis Donatus Gwaza:
“We the Kagoro community regret to announce the death of one of our prominent sons of the land on his way back from the New Year celebration. Prof. Simon P. Mallam’s life was lost at [the scene of a] recent gas explosion that took place in Ungwan/Boro of Sabon-Tasha Community of Chikun Local Government area in Southern Kaduna. Before his death, he was a professor of Physics with the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and the present chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission. May his Soul Rest in Peace and may God Almighty Comfort his entire Family. Amen.”
Another friend of the Mallam family, Eli Dangana, mentioned that the professor’s remains were taken to the Sabon Tasha General Hospital following the tragic incident.
The gas explosion occurred around 2:00 PM, as attendants were refilling a cylinder for a customer at a gas shop opposite the Total Filling station in Sabon Tasha.
As news of the explosion spread, frantic searches for loved ones ensued, with people gathering at various hospitals where the victims were taken.
Aside from Professor Mallam, the casualties included customers, attendants, and passersby, as well as individuals in nearby shops.
Eye witnesses shared harrowing accounts of the incident, with one individual recounting his close call at a nearby barber’s shop, and another surviving the blast while riding in a commercial tricycle.
The Kaduna State government expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, acknowledging the tragic loss of life in the gas explosion.
