A yet-to-be-identified scavenger lost his life while three others sustained severe injuries following the detonation of a military-grade grenade in the Idi-Araba area of Mushin, Lagos State.
According to The PUNCH, the explosion, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, reportedly happened while a group of scavengers at a metal scrap yard attempted to dismantle the device. It detonated in the process, killing one instantly and leaving three others critically injured.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with residents panicking over the unexpected blast. A local resident, Akin Olawale, recounted the moment of the explosion.
“A loud blast was heard around 12:30 p.m., and everyone was thrown into confusion. We immediately called the police because we couldn’t determine the cause at first. When security personnel arrived, we realized it was a grenade. The scavengers were trying to cut it open when it exploded,” Olawale said.
Security operatives responding to the incident discovered two additional undetonated grenades at the scene. Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, confirmed that the injured individuals were rushed to the hospital.
“We saw a vehicle carrying the injured victims to the hospital. Their wounds were severe, and the driver barely stopped due to traffic congestion at a nearby filling station,” the resident revealed.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the command’s Explosive and Ordnance Disposal Unit had neutralized any further threats in the area.
“The explosion was caused by a military-grade grenade. One person died, and three others were hospitalized. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., and our explosives team has since rendered the site safe,” Hundeyin said.
