The army authorities have discovered explosives at the scene of the Ikeja bomb blast, 21 years and nine months after.

The explosion which occurred on January 27, 2002 at the Military Cantonment in Ikeja is believed to have killed at least 1,100 people and displaced over 20,000 with many others injured and rendered homeless.

Bombs and other explosives mistakenly went off in the armoury section of the barracks.

The explosion, which sounded about seven times, over two days, led to the destruction of properties in and around the area. It was an unprecedented occurrence, so people scampered for safety.

Speaking in Lagos Tuesday at the flag off of the “Exercise Clean Sweep”, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tajudeen Lagbaja, said the army had finally commenced the movement of the remaining unexploded ordinance to one of its bases in Ajilete, Ogun State.

He said the initial clearance operation done in 2002 ensured some degree of safety in the Ikeja Cantonment and environs.

The COAS said the recent discovery of some unexploded explosive ordnances at the site of the 2002 blast raised the need for the army to carry out a follow up clearance exercise.

He said the 60+1 day exercise would be held from October 10 to December 10 and that it would involve the mobilisation of engineers’ plants and other necessary equipment to the site.

“There will also be movements and disposal of recovered unexploded explosive ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to the Nigerian Army Range at Ajilete in Ogun State during this exercise.

“The objective of Exercise Clean Sweep is to totally disinfect the epicenter of the Ikeja bomb blast and clear it of all verified and suspected remaining Unexploded Explosive Ordnance. This will aid putting the site to future safe and productive use by the Nigerian Army and the larger Ikeja community.

“I must state at this point that exercises of this nature are time and resource consuming. It has taken this long to finalize the clearance operation, not because of lack of will but because it requires long term planning and acquisition of relevant expertise and equipment.

“I am happy today, to report that the Nigerian Army, with the support of the government and our international partners, has got what it takes to embark on such an ambitious and arduous cleanup. This briefing is a sensitization campaign to adequately notify the people of Lagos and Ogun states of the cleanup exercise. It also serves as an avenue to seek the support and collaboration of the Governments and the good people of Lagos and Ogun States for safe and smooth conduct of Exercise Clean Sweep,” Lagbaja said.

He added, “I wish to assure the general populace, especially Lagos and Ogun states residents, that the exercise will be conducted in the most professional manner with all necessary safety and security measures emplaced in line with global best practices.”

“To further reassure the citizenry, I have directed that adequate sensitization and awareness on the impending exercise be carried out on popular electronic, print, and social media. I implore the people of Lagos and Ogun states to not panic on sighting the movement of heavy vehicles and equipment as well as the sound of demolition of recovered Unexploded Explosive Ordnance at the Nigerian Army Range Ajilete, in Ogun State.

“The Nigerian Army equally seeks the cooperation of relevant government agencies and parastatals in Lagos and Ogun states, such as the State Emergency Management Agencies, the Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corp, Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services towards ensuring the success of this clean up exercise,” he added.

The COAS said it had taken the army 21 years and nine months to arrive at this point, adding that the journey might have been perceived as slow, but had been steady and painstaking.

“The best compensation we can give to the victims of the 2002 bomb blast is to make the site and others secure for those living to avoid reoccurrence,” he added.

But in an interview with one of our correspondents last night, a retired Nigerian Air Force personnel, John Ojikutu, said the discovered unexplosive materials couldn’t have been there for that very long time.

Ojikutu, who retired as Group Captain in the force, explained that it might have been planted in recent times, saying no incident had happened in Lagos that warranted such materials to be there.

“I’m an indigene of Lagos. Though, I hail from Isale Eko and I have not heard of this type of incident before. Even during the Civil War, there I don’t think such device was planted anywhere in the Centre of Excellence,” he said.

https://dailytrust.com/army-discovers-bombs-in-ikeja-21-years-after-blast-begins-clearance/

Work of…….

Tobilani:
Bomb in Ikeja.

That sounds like a joke at first sight

I know, right?!

I was in Lagos at the time. That first round of explosions shook the very foundations of our small apartment. Information didn't easily circulate at the time, so first round of public speculations suggested a massive robbery operation.

Ikeja bomblast

Just like yesterday

That year I dey JSS 2

I saw the victims on TV, some drowned inside canal


🤕

What an unforgettable experience. That day was on a Sunday. The bomb explosion was felt at Festac Town all the way from Ikeja. I remember our windows vibrated and almost shattered. RIP to those who lost their lives at Oke-Afa canal

Ikeja folks should hamper for safety.

That bomb blast the scare killed many but impact never killed even a fly.

Wow

I will never forget that super scary sunday

Terrific

This is just an indictment and gross irresponsibility by the army authority. How can you still ne discovering pieces of bombs that caused massive loss of lives and property more than 21 years ago?

Was it that the BAD or Ordnance corps didn't do their job well with bomb detectors while combing the area back then? Our CBQ was also affected badly that we have to pack out of the area. I passed by Oke Alfa Canal in Isolo area and I remember the victims of this unfortunate incident. RIP people.

Una don hear ? No be the one wey una go start spreading fake news if army trucks starts moving the explosives.

🤔

Wow

Nigeria is a comedy...

please which of the Ikeja, is it the one in Lagos?

I remembered this sad event. It happened on a Sunday evening. I thought the explosion was thunder cos of how deep it was sounding, and told my mom that rain wants to fall. Not until I saw Tinubu (the then governor) on TV with some military officers who spoke Igbo, yourba and hausa. Telling us that it was artillery shells they stored after the civil war that somehow ignited and started exploding.

It was a bloody day. Thousands died at the carnal. People were jumping into it thinking it's the only way out, only to drown in it.

By morning, the carnal was littered with corpses of women and children. It was a bloody day.

Obsanjo (the then president) visited the site.

Wow I remember this exploded during obj era

After how many years? Is this really a country

illicit:
That year I dey JSS 2

I saw the victims on TV, some drowned inside canal


🤕

months after the bomb last explosion ,na so them carry cantonment student come our school for Anthony village Lagos, then wan come form Voltron on top of our territory. The war between us and cantonment students no bi small tin, teachers later invite soldiers, na soldiers sort ham las las. Come see as military men dey come back secondary students on top fight between both the Anthony village high school, ajao estate Senior high school and army cantonment. Some people chop better kobokobo, me na mumu dey. I no dey pass inside class and football field

dem never born u/u were still a 1 year old then

Tobilani:
Bomb in Ikeja.

That sounds like a joke at first sight

Hold boko haram responsible