A yet-to-be-identified scavenger has been confirmed dead after a military-grade grenade exploded at a scrap yard in the Idi-Araba area of Mushin, Lagos State, on Thursday.
PUNCH Online gathered that three other individuals sustained serious injuries during the blast, which occurred around 1:30pm. According to residents and security sources, the explosion took place while scavengers were attempting to dismantle a grenade at the metal scrap site.
“A sound of explosion was heard around past 12pm and the police were immediately contacted because no one could ascertain the cause,” a resident, Akin Olawale, told our correspondent. “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.”
The blast caused panic in the neighbourhood, forcing residents to alert security operatives. Upon arrival, police officers and members of the Explosive and Ordinance Department cordoned off the area and discovered two other undetonated grenades at the scene.
Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons, said, “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.”
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. He said the area has since been secured by bomb disposal experts.
“The explosion was caused by a military-grade grenade. One person was killed and three were hospitalised. The Explosive and Ordinance Department has rendered the place safe and the scene has been cordoned off. There is a zero possibility of another explosion and investigation has commenced,” he stated.
Authorities are working to determine how the explosive devices ended up in the possession of the scavengers.
