The Nigerian Army has officially confirmed an explosion that occurred on Monday at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos State. The blast took place on a farmland within the cantonment premises. At present, there are limited details available regarding the incident, and no casualties have been reported.
It is worth recalling that a devastating bomb explosion occurred in the cantonment on January 27, 2002, resulting in numerous fatalities and displacing many residents. In October 2023, the Nigerian Army recovered 642 unexploded bombs from the same cantonment.
While acknowledging the recent explosion, the Nigerian Army has described it as a minor incident and has urged residents to remain calm. The Army’s Director of Public Relations, Maj Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, issued a statement affirming that their Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has cordoned off the affected area on the farmland. The purpose is to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.
The statement emphasizes that the explosion is suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who was cultivating the land. Fortunately, there were no casualties resulting from the incident. However, given the historical occurrence of explosions within the cantonment, the Nigerian Army understands that there may be concerns among the general public.
The Nigerian Army assures the public that the situation is under control, and measures have been taken to ensure their safety. The ongoing investigation will provide more clarity regarding the cause of the explosion. In the meantime, residents in the vicinity are advised not to panic.