Nigerian Army clarifies explosion at farmland in Ikeja Cantonment

The Nigerian Army Headquarters, acknowledging a minor explosion within the Nigerian Army (NA) Cantonment in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, 1 April 2024, clarified that the incident occurred on a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Cantonment.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement @HQNigerianArmy indicated that the explosion was suspected to have been triggered by the burning of refuse and other inflammable debris by a farmer who cultivated the farmland.

Major General Nwachukwu declared that fortunately, no casualty was recorded in the incident.

The Director of Army Public Relations noted: “however, given that the Cantonment was recently cleared and certified free of unexploded ordinances, we understand that there could be concerns among the general public as a result of the historical antecedent of explosion within the Cantonment.”
The statement read in full:

SITUATION REPORT ON MINOR EXPLOSION AT A FARMLAND IN IKEJA CANTONMENT

This is to notify the general public that today Monday 1 April 2024, a minor explosion occurred within the Nigerian Army (NA) Cantonment in Ikeja, Lagos. The incident occurred on a farmland near the Mammy Market within the Cantonment.

The explosion 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 ordinances, 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.