GistNexus – April 4, 2025.
Thursday, April 3, 2025, witnessed a devastating explosion in the Idi-Araba community of Lagos that left one dead and three seriously injured. The explosion, which occurred in the Taiwo Street area of the congested Lagos community, was that of a grenade of military specification.
The explosion happened around 1:30 in the afternoon, with initial news reports stating that the grenade had detonated as a group of scavengers were attempting to remove it from a shell. Tragically, one of the scavengers who has yet to be identified by name was killed instantly by the explosion. Another three individuals incurred serious injuries and were immediately hospitalized for treatment.
Witnesses at the scene described the fear that followed the blast. A resident in the neighborhood explained that the blast was so powerful it was heard throughout the neighborhood. “The blast was heard around 12 p.m., and no one had any idea what had caused it. It was not until the police arrived that we knew it was a grenade,” the resident explained, still shaken.
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Scavengers’ Attempt to Open Grenade Leads to Tragedy
The blast occurred when the scavengers were attempting to open the grenade, early investigations showed. It is presumed that the explosive device, most likely obtained from a scrapyard made of metal, exploded as it was being opened. Scavengers are normally seen digging around for waste materials to sell and at times stumble upon military-grade explosives, as was the situation here but with tragic consequences.
Local media reported that two other grenades were found on the ground after the explosion. These unused explosives were subsequently handled safely by police from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, who were quickly deployed to respond to the incident. Discovery of additional grenades created concerns regarding the presence of dangerous explosives in society, and the government quickly moved to secure the safety of individuals.
Panic and Confusion Among Local Residents
The blast sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, with locals recounting their shock and amazement. One of the locals recounted the aftermath of the blast: “We saw a vehicle carrying the injured to the hospital, and that’s when we knew what had happened. They were badly hurt. The vehicle stopped at a filling station, but the driver couldn’t even stop because of the queue.”
The panic explosion from the people was palpable, as nobody could initially comprehend the source of the blast. The din of the bang resonated through the streets, and people only discovered the cause of the blast when the police arrived. The realization that a grenade employed by the military had been utilized in the blast made the gravity of the situation even more severe.
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Police and Emergency Response
The Lagos State Police Command acted quickly to the distress call, which was made at about 1:30 p.m. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit officers in Ikeja were sent to cordon off the area and find out why the explosion occurred. They cordoned off the blast site when they arrived to prevent further destruction.
State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, also confirmed that a militarily-grade grenade caused the explosion. “One died and three have been hospitalized. It occurred at about 1:30 p.m., and the Explosive and Ordinance Department has also cleared the area,” Hundeyin said. He further said that he wanted to reassure the public mind regarding potential explosions once more in the area.
Authorities have been trying their best to discover how the grenades ended up in the hands of non-combatants. This is a scenario that brings to attention the growing concerns regarding the availability of military-grade explosives in non-military places, especially at junk yards, where the dangerous material is sometimes inadvertently bought.
Investigation Underway
As investigations continue, police forces are determined to determine how the military-grade grenades found their way into the possession of the scavengers. The cause of the explosion is, of course, the scavenger’s attempt at dismantling the device, but questions remain over where the grenades originated and whether the explosives were deliberately left nearby.
CSP Hundeyin has attested that there is an investigation under way to determine how the explosives ended up in the possession of civilians and whether there had been any breaches in security or storage that led to the explosion. “We are investigating the entire circumstances of this explosion,” Hundeyin affirmed, stating that such incidents don’t occur often but cannot be eliminated in areas with low-security interventions.
Grim Consequences for Scavengers
The episode alludes to the dangers that scavengers expose themselves to in urban settlements, particularly around residential areas like Idi-Araba, which have metal scrap yards. Scavengers tend to sift through wasteful materials, searching for salvageable items to sell or recycle. Their activities, however, sometimes lead them to meet hazardous materials such as unexploded grenades, fallen bombs, and other weapons of military quality.
Experts have warned that the presence of such dangerous devices in scrap yards not only risks the scavengers but also the surrounding communities. There is concern that the easier such explosives are made available, the more such incidents will take place unless some action is taken to lock up military-grade material and prevent them from being used by the wrong people.
Public Warnings and Safety Measures
Since the explosion, the police issued public statements reminding people to remain vigilant and to report anything that looks suspicious or unwanted materials to the police. CSP Hundeyin added that access to abandoned military explosives is worrisome and that citizens need to contact the police or other security agencies at the earliest moment if they are exposed to harmful materials.
The police also reaffirmed the importance of being vigilant against such incidents. “If you see something strange or if you suspect that there may be dangerous materials in your area, report to the police immediately,” Hundeyin urged. “We are committed to ensuring safety and security for all Lagosians.”
Community Reactions and Calls for Action
While the accident helped to raise alarm over dangers posed by explosives near civilian populations, most residents call for more forceful safety procedures to protect their communities. Many residents resent what they perceive as insufficient caution over the scrap lots and metal collection points, which, they claim, are poorly regulated. These areas, which are common in most of Lagos, sometimes become repositories for hazardous items that can become liabilities to the community.
“We need tighter regulation and observation of these premises. It is not enough just to react once something terrible has happened. We need to take the initiative so that we don’t have accidents of this sort,” said an anxious resident. Others have suggested that the government needs to work harder to enlighten people regarding the dangers involved in handling explosives and other dangerous substances.
The GistNexus Team that Reported this Incident Noted That
The Idi-Araba April 3, 2025, grenade blast that tragically misfired is a stark reminder of the danger that military-grade explosives pose in public places. One scavenger killed and three injured are a clear indication of the sheer necessity for greater security and public vigilance when handling dangerous materials. While investigations continue, the government is pushed to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that steps are taken to prevent the explosives from falling into civilian hands. In the meantime, Lagos citizens are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the government.
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Reported by GistNexus Team and Edited by Mr. Chibueze Onwuka