Lagos, Nigeria – An explosion that occurred last Thursday in the Idi-Araba district of Mushin, Lagos, was triggered by a scrap metal dealer who unwittingly attempted to dismantle a military-grade grenade, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to three others, authorities reported.
The Lagos State Police Command, speaking through its Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that officers from the police’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit were dispatched promptly to the scene at 40 Taiwo Street after the incident.
Hundeyin elaborated that following the explosion, police experts managed to secure the area promptly. They also evacuated two unexploded grenades along with the remains of the detonated grenade to ensure public safety and facilitate a thorough investigation.
The affected area was cordoned off while police conducted a detailed examination to understand the dynamics of the explosion and strategize preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
The police emphasized their commitment to thorough investigative procedures to discern the origins of the grenade and ascertain the sequence of events leading up to the explosion. This analysis will be crucial in implementing more robust safety protocols and awareness campaigns about handling hazardous materials.
Collaboration efforts between the police EOD-CBRN Unit and the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) Squadron of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army were highlighted as part of the response measure. This partnership aims to engage military expertise in identifying and securely managing explosive devices.
Regarding the severity of the injuries, no details were immediately available on the condition of the three wounded individuals, except that they had been rapidly transported to the hospital immediately following the incident.
Authorities are focusing on the lack of awareness that led to the unfortunate explosion, pointing to an urgent need for increased public education on the risks associated with handling unknown scrap materials.
This incident has brought forward discussions on the regulation and oversight of scrap dealing activities, particularly those involving potentially explosive remnants. Officials are contemplating stricter controls and educational programs within this sector to safeguard against future threats.
Furthermore, the local government and civic leaders are urged to ramp up efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of unverified scrap materials. They are called to work closely with the police and military units to ensure that citizens are better informed and that similar incidents can be prevented.
As the community reels from this incident, a broader contemplation of safety standards and preventive practices in handling explosive materials is expected to take precedence in policy-making circles in Lagos and more widely across Nigeria.