A detonation shook the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos State on Monday, reportedly originating from a farmland within the premises. Details surrounding the explosion remain scarce as of the time of this report, with no casualties reported.
This incident recalls the tragic bomb explosion on January 27, 2002, which claimed several lives and left many homeless within the cantonment. Additionally, in October 2023, the military recovered 642 unexploded bombs from the area.
The Nigerian Army, while confirming Monday’s explosion, downplayed its severity, labeling it as a minor incident. Maj Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s Director of Public Relations, assured residents to remain calm. He explained that the explosion likely stemmed from the burning of refuse and other flammable debris on a farmland cultivated by a local farmer within the cantonment.
Thankfully, there were no casualties recorded. Nonetheless, in response to public concerns, the Army’s Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal team has cordoned off the affected area for a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the explosion. Residents in the vicinity are urged not to panic, as the situation is under control, and their safety is assured.
