By Christopher Oji
One person died while three others were injured when a military hand grenade exploded on Thursday at Idi-Araba, Mushin, Lagos.
The explosion which occurred at number 40, Taiwo Street, Idi-Araba caused pandemonium as people scampered for safety.
A resident, Ismaila Idris told Saturday Sun: “One person died and three others seriously Injured. The person who died, a scavenger, was blown into pieces. He was dismembered beyond recognition. When we heard a loud noise, we took to our heels, thinking that something bigger than what we thought happened. As we did not hear more explosions, some of us who were courageous came back. We don’t know where the scavenger picked the bomb from.
“We would have loved to hear where he picked the bomb from, but he is dead. Anyway, the police who arrived the scene took some things on the scene. Maybe through investigation, they will be able to find out where he got the bomb,”
According to police sources, a distress call was received at about 1:30 p.m. on April 3, 2025, reporting a suspected bomb explosion. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, based in Ikeja, was immediately deployed to the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the explosion was caused by military grenades that had been tampered with by a scavenger attempting to split one of them. The impact of the blast killed the scavenger instantly, while three others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “The police secured the scene, collected evidential materials for analysis, and photographed the area for documentation. The deceased’s body was deposited at a public morgue for an autopsy, while investigations into the source of the explosives and circumstances surrounding the incident are on-going”. He said the scene has been cordoned off, as policemen from EOD department were doing the needful.
He called on members of the public to go about their normal businesses, assuring that the police were on ground and that normalcy has returned to the area.