An explosion on Thursday evening claimed two live including a masquerade leaving many others injured at Idoji area of Okene local government council of Kogi state. The incident occurred at the Idoji part of the local government where the Echeane festival, an annual masquerade festival was ongoing. Eye witnesses disclosed that the bomb suspected to be local explosive was detonated in a gathering of spectators at the festival, adding that it left nails gouged in the wounded legs of some of the victims.
One of the resident of the area who witness the incident Usman Animuko Sani stated that the explosion occurred around 6pm on Thursday evening when some people including masquerades gathered to celebrate the annual Echane 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 is 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 to, for medical treatment. He further added that on reaching the hospital some of the victims were referred to Lokoja as some of the injuries can not be handled by the medical personnel in Okengwe. Following the attack, the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare has suspended masquerade outing.
In a statement, Ohiare directed custodians and traditional heads to obey the new development, assuring of his commitment to peaceful coexistence. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relation Officer SP William Ayah in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, stated that there was an explosion in Okene where some people were injured. The PPRO who stated that unconfirmed information reaching him revealed that one of the victims of the explosion has died in the hospital. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Edward Egbuka had deployed Police bomb expert to the scene of the explosion to unravel the causes of the explosion.
The Okene explosion occurred just few weeks of two explosions in Kabba where a woman a native of Ebira land but resident in Kaaba lost her life while her younger brother lost one of his legs.