A yet-to-be-identified scavenger has been killed after a military-grade grenade exploded at Idi-Araba in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Online learnt that three other people were injured in the incident, which occurred on Thursday.
It was gathered that some scavengers in a metal scrap yard were attempting to dismantle one of the grenades in their possession.
The device, which detonated in the process, killed one of them on the spot while three others sustained severe injuries.
A resident, Akin Olawale, told our correspondent on Friday that the explosion which occurred in the afternoon also resulted in panic among residents.
He said, “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.”
Two unexploded grenades were said to have been found after security personnel arrived at the scene.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, citing security reasons, said the injured people were taken to hospital.
“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,” the resident disclosed.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, adding that the Explosive and Ordnance Department of the command had made the area safe.
He said, “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 Ordnance Department has made the area safe."
“The scene of the incident has also been cordoned off. There is a zero possibility of another explosion and investigation has commenced.”