Army begins investigation as fresh explosion rocks Ikeja cantonment

The Nigerian Army has opened up a fresh investigation into an explosion that occurred in a farmland located within the mammy market area of Ikeja cantonment, Lagos.

An explosion occurred on Monday night in a farmland in the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

Daily Trust had in October 2023 reported that the Nigerian Army, had during “Exercise Clean Sweep” moved some unexploded ordnances from Ikeja cantonment to Ajilete in Ogun State 21 years after an explosion rocked the cantonment, killing 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000 persons.

Though, no casualty was recorded during Monday’s explosion, it created panic among those who reside close to the cantonment.

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Director Army Public Relations, Major General, Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the explosion in a statement he issued on Monday night.

Nwachukwu said it is suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.

“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,” the statement read.