The Nigerian Army has revealed the discovery of explosives at the site of the Ikeja bomb blast, which occurred on January 27, 2002. The explosion, located at the Military Cantonment in Ikeja, resulted in the tragic loss of lives, injuries, and displacement of thousands of people.
Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tajudeen Lagbaja, disclosed the recent discovery during the flag-off of “Exercise Clean Sweep” in Lagos. He stated that the initial clearance operation in 2002 provided a degree of safety in the Ikeja Cantonment and its surroundings. However, the recent finding of unexploded explosive ordnances at the blast site prompted the need for a follow-up clearance exercise.
Lagbaja mentioned that the ongoing 60+1 day exercise, scheduled from October 10 to December 10, involves mobilizing engineers, plants, and necessary equipment to the site. The operation aims to completely disinfect the epicenter of the Ikeja bomb blast, clearing it of any remaining unexploded explosive ordnance to ensure future safe and productive use.
The Chief of the Army Staff assured the public that the exercise would be conducted professionally with safety and security measures in place. He emphasized that the discovery marked a significant point in the army’s effort, taking 21 years and nine months to reach this stage. The cleanup initiative aims to prevent future incidents and compensate victims by securing the affected areas.
While the army sees the exercise as a crucial step in ensuring safety, a retired Nigerian Air Force personnel, John Ojikutu, raised doubts about the long-standing presence of the discovered explosives. Ojikutu suggested that the materials might have been planted recently, as there had been no incidents in Lagos that warranted their presence over an extended period.
