Breaking: The Nigerian Army's Ikeja cantonment explodes as the military launches an investigation

From Aminu Bala Madobi

The Nigerian Army has advised locals and the public not to panic following what it dubbed a “minor explosion” that happened inside its cantonment on Monday in Ikeja, Lagos State.

According to a statement from Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, the incident that happened on a farmland close to the Mammy Market in the cantonment has been contained.

“This is to notify the general public that today Monday 1 April 2024, a minor explosion occurred within the Nigerian Army (NA) Cantonment in Ikeja, Lagos. The incident occurred on a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Cantonment.

“The explosion is suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.”

Nwachukwu explained that no casualty was recorded in the incident, even as he noted that there are concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the Cantonment.

“Fortunately, no casualty was recorded in the incident. However, given that the Cantonment was recently cleared and certified free of unexploded ordnances, we understand that there could be concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the Cantonment.

“The NA therefore wishes to assure the public that the situation is under control as the NA Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has cordoned off the area of the farmland to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.

“We urge residents in the general area not to panic and assure them of their safety.”