One Killed, Many Injured In Fresh Kogi Explosion

Daily Trust reports that one person was reported to have died while others were injured in an explosion at Okene in the central district of Kogi State.

It was learnt the explosion occurred on Thursday night at Idoji area of Okene when people, including masquerades, gathered to celebrate the annual Echane festival in Okene.

An eyewitness, one Usman Animuko Sani, said the sound of the explosion affected many residents of the area, adding that a man lost his legs while many others sustained injuries.

He said one of the victims died on the way to Okengwe General Hospital.

Sani further stated that some of the victims were later referred to Lokoja from the general hospital.

The Okene explosion happened few weeks after two explosions occurred at Kabba where a woman lost her life and her younger brother lost one of his legs.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP William Ayah, confirmed the incident, adding that one of the victims died in the hospital.

“More details are being awaited from the operatives on the ground,” he added.

Meanwhile, he stated that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Edward Egbuka, had drafted police from anti-bomb unit to the scene to uncover the cause of the explosion.