A grenade explosion occurred near Idi-Araba in Lagos State’s Mushin neighbourhood on Thursday, resulting in the death of a scavenger and leaving three others with severe injuries.
Reports indicate that a group of scavengers at a metal scrap yard were trying to dismantle a military-grade grenade when it unexpectedly detonated, killing one instantly. The explosion also caused panic among the locals.
Resident Akin Olawale told PUNCH, “A sound of explosion was heard around past 12 pm, and the police were immediately contacted because no one could ascertain the cause. It was later when the police arrived that we discovered that it was a grenade. The scavengers were trying to cut one of them open when it detonated.”
Upon the arrival of security operatives, two undetonated grenades were discovered at the scene.
Another resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, recounted, “We saw a vehicle moving some injured persons to the hospital, and that was when we knew what happened. Those people we saw were terribly injured. It was when the vehicle stopped by a filling station that we saw them. The driver could not even wait because of the queue.”
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the explosion and gave an update. “The explosion was caused by a military-grade grenade. One person was killed, and three were hospitalised. The incident happened at about 1:30 pm, and the Explosive and Ordinance Department has rendered the place safe. The scene of the incident has also been cordoned off. There is a zero possibility of another explosion, and investigation has commenced,” he said.
