The Cross River Police Command has confirmed three persons dead and 10 in critical condition due to Friday’s gas cylinder explosion at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Calabar.

Mr John Eluu, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Eluu said 20 members of staff of the bank were injured in the explosion which occurred at about 11 a.m., while two others were in critical condition.

“As of yesterday, being Friday, 20 CBN staff members were injured and two were in critical condition immediately after the gas explosion.

“We have been monitoring the situation closely and I can confirm to you that three of the victims are dead, while 10 are in critical condition.

“Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the cause of the explosion.

“We will continue to monitor the victims as we pray for their survival and quick recovery’’, he said.

The PPRO dismissed the rumour in some quarters that the explosion was a detonated bomb blast by Boko Haram insurgents.

“I wish to say categorically that the explosion was not a bomb blast by Boko Haram insurgents as it is being rumoured in some corners.

“Our men from the Explosive Ordinance Department were on ground at the scene of the accident.

“Their investigation shows that it was a gas cylinder explosion from one of the units in the building that caused the blast”, he explained. NAN