Okene Explosion: One Killed as Kogi CP Vows to Bring Perpetrators to Book

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka, has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the Okene explosion to book, adding that he has deployed the operatives of anti-bomb units to track the perpetrators of the latest explosion.  

At least one person was said to have lost his life while nine others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Egbuka confirmed the incident through the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, William Ayah, while speaking in a  telephone conversation with journalists.

The Commissioner of Police disclosed that one of the victims of the explosion died in an undisclosed hospital.

Usman Animuko Sani who witnessed the incident said that the explosion occurred around 6p.m. on Thursday when some people including masquerades gathered to celebrate the annual exchange festival in Okene.

Sani, who disclosed that the sound of the explosion affected many residents of the area, stated that a man whose name and address are yet to be identified lost two of his legs while many others sustained injuries.

He added that one of the victims of the explosion died on their way to Okengwe General Hospital where the victims were taken for medical treatment.

He further added that on reaching the hospital some of the victims were referred to Lokoja as some of the injuries cannot be handled by the medical personnel in Okinawa.

The Okene explosion occurred barely five days ago when an explosion occurred in Kabba where a woman who is a native of Ebiraland but resident in Kaaba lost her life while her younger brother lost one of his legs.