4 killed, 7 injured in bomb explosion in Niger

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8 years ago

Tragedy struck on Saturday at Beri community in Mariga Local Government of Niger State, following an accidental explosion of a hand grenade that killed four people , including a 22-year-old Private Soldier attached to 145 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, identified as Mohammed Tanko.

Three females, who also died as a result of the explosion, were Waila Adamu 14, Ruma Bello, 20, and Kulu Garba, 12.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 3:40p.m., when the deceased soldier who came to the village from his Battalion in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, was displaying one of the two hand grenades in his possession to his friends around Mahauta area of the Market in Beri community.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, DSP, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident in a Press statement obtained by the Sunday Tribune, stating that seven other victims, three females and four males, sustained various degree of injuries.

“Today, 25/02/2017, at about 15:40 hours, one Mohammed Tanko, a 22-year old private soldier attached to 145 Battalion, Maiduguri, who came to Beri in Mariga Local Government on pass has in his possession, 2 hand grenades.

“While displaying one of the grenades around Mahuata area of the market in Beri to his friends out of overzealousness, it blasted and killed him and 3 others, namely Wasila Adamu, F 14 years, Ruma Bello, F 20 years, Kulu Garba , F 12 years,” the statement read.

Elkana explained that the injured included: Aisha Musa 30 years; Alhaji Tukur Umaru 60 years; Barmo Gado Maikifi 35years; Ishaya Timothy 25 years; Saliha Audu 16years; Balki Salisu 15years; Tukur Sadiq 25 years and Mohammad Danbujaja 60 years, all of Beri Mariga local government.

Elkana, however, revealed that one hand grenade was recovered from the scene, while the area had been cordoned and cleared by Police Anti Bomb Unit as corpses and injured victims have also been evacuated to General Hospital Kontagora.

He said the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zubairu Muazu, had ordered an indepth investigation into the incident and enjoined the people of the area to remain calm.