A bomb, yesterday, exploded at Miracle Sand Beach, located under Festac link bridge in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, leaving the chairman of the Local Dredgers Association, Chief Oladele Pius, dead.
A Police Inspector simply identified as Sanni, also had his leg shattered by the explosion.
There were different accounts as to how the late Chief Oladele Pius was killed. A version of the account had it that the deceased was handed a letter bomb by an unknown person at about 11.30am, shortly after he resumed work.
Chief Oladele reportedly attempted to open the letter, when it exploded, killing him instantly.
Inspector Sanni, said to be with the deceased also had his legs shattered by its impact as he attempted to flee the scene.
Eye witnesses said Inspector Sanni begged passers-by to help his friend to the hospital. But rather than being pitied, the policeman was reportedly attacked by some persons, who accused him of planting the explosive substance. Sanni who was in mufti, was said to have brought out his identity card, which saved him from being lynched.
However, another version of the account had it that the late Chief Oladele was discussing with his police friend when the explosion occurred right under the low fence, where he sat.
A local dredger who identified himself as Adeola Peter said the deceased resumed work yesterday. Having parked his white Pathfinder SUV with Number plate LSR 957 AZ, the deceased made for his usual duty post, oblivious of the impending tragedy.
Thirty minutes later, he was said to have received a phone call, following which he drove out and returned in the company of Inspector Sanni and made straight for his usual sitting position on the fence. He reportedly called one of his staff simply identified as Dogo, to buy ‘Alomo Bitters’, a local gin which he shared with his police friend.
According to Adeola: “He sat under the dwarf fence having drinks with his police friend when the bomb exploded. The bomb must have been planted where he usually sat. But I don’t think it was planted today because we have been working here since morning and if someone was doing such a thing in our presence we would have noticed.”
Another eyewitness, Mr. Thomas Wawe, a motorist narrated thus: “The incident happened at about 12 noon as I was driving back to my office at Mile-2 area. All of a sudden there was a thunderous blast and everybody started running helter skelter.
“It took a while before people started gathering near the blast having made sure there was no more unexploded device. The sympathizers and rescue team recovered a man from under the bridge. I saw the leg of the man already ripped off and motionless. Apparently, the leg was severed as a result of the devastating effect of the explosion. Police men later arrived and condoned off the entire place. That was all I saw.”
Immediately the explosion occurred, news went round the entire area that members of the Boko Haram sect could have penetrated the area, a development that threw residents into confusion.
It’s caused by electrical fault — Lagos CP
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko who was at the scene, described the explosion as a minor one, calling on Lagosians not to panic.
According to him, “there was a minor explosion here this morning. It’s not the kind that most Nigerians should be apprehensive about. It was just a mischievous person who played around with batteries and some other objects. The experts are looking at it now. But I can assure you that Lagosians have no cause to fear.”
Hours later, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, briefed journalists in his office, stating that the explosion was caused by an electrical fault.
According to him: “Contrary to people’s fear that it was bomb blast, it was a mere electrical fault at the Amuwo Odofin Bridge. Anti-bomb experts have been called in to assess the situation and I will be adequately briefed later.
”From the investigation so far, it has been revealed that it was not a terrorist attack; not an act of Boko Haram, neither was it a bomb blast.
”I urged Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses without fear because Lagos remains a peaceful and safe state. It is not a question of letter bomb. This is not an incident that will attract fear. So, Lagosians should feel free.
”The state is not under any attack from anywhere. We are investigating the matter and experts will report to me after their investigation.
Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, who visited the scene shortly after the incident occurred, advised residents living around the Miracle sand beach where the incident occurred to look for alternative accommodation, disclosing that they might be asked to relocate, pending the outcome of investigation.
Reacting to the incident, chairman, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Femi Oke-Osoyintolu, in a statement said: “An explosive device was detonated under the Festac Bridge close to Apple Junction today; we have one person confirmed dead and the other injured. The situation is being handled by LASEMA, Civil Defence, the Navy, and the Police Anti-Bomb Squad.”
As sympathizers throng the scene of the incident, the deceased’s widow, said to have been informed of an explosion around the area, rushed to the place to ascertain the state of her husband, only to see his remains. Unable to withstand the impact of the shock, Mrs Oladele slumped. She was immediately rushed out to an undisclosed destination.
Already the scene of the explosion had been cordoned off by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police with officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, also on ground to unravel the cause of the explosion.
My last moment with Chief
Meanwhile, the deceased’s bosom friend, one Mathias, who is still trying to come to terms with the tragedy, shared his last moment with him. The deceased according to Mathias, was with him until 12. 30am.
“He had been selling sand under that bridge for years. In fact, we were together until 12.30am when we retired. He called me yesterday morning to meet him at the office by 9.30am. But I could not make it at that time. I was therefore shocked to hear that he was handed a letter bomb which exploded and killed him in the process”
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