At least two persons
were killed and many injured in an explosion that occurred during an annual
festival in the Idoji area of Okene, Kogi state.
The explosion occurred near the Idoji market on Thursday
evening during the Echane festival.
A resident of Okene said that one person was killed and many
others sustained injuries.
On Saturday, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that 20 people were killed.
POLICE COMMENCE INVESTIGATION
William Ovye-Aya, the Kogi police spokesperson, confirmed
the incident but said only one person was killed and several others injured.
The police spokesperson said security operatives have been
mobilised to the scene to look into the incident.
“It was an explosion. One person died and 12 people got
injured. We have commenced an investigation,” he said.
Asked to react to the claim made by ISIS, the police
spokesperson said the command is waiting for the outcome of the investigation
by its anti-bomb unit.
STATE GOVERNMENT REACTS
Jerry Omodara, special adviser on security to Yahaya Bello,
Kogi governor, said two persons have died as a result of the explosion.
Omodara said security experts have been deployed to the
scene to investigate the “pattern of explosion”.
“It is an unfortunate incident and the Kogi state government
will not toy away with the security of residents’ lives and properties.
Immediately the incident happened, security experts were brought in to get to
the root of the incident,” he said.
“Experts are trying to analyse if it is the same pattern of
explosion with the incident that happened in Kabba some days ago.
“Immediately the
incident happened, there was no death recorded but at the hospital, I heard
that two people have died now and several people were injured.”
Omodara said ISIS’ claim of orchestrating the explosion is
yet to be proven.
“Well, if they had
made a claim about the attack, I have not gotten the report. At the end of the
day, I will get update on the security situation,” he added.
“Sometimes, claims are made to swell up their own prowess of
attacks. In many cases, they are not always true.”
PREVIOUS ATTACKS
On April 23, gunmen attacked a police station in Adavi LGA in the state, which
resulted in the death of three police officers.
Some days later, the Islamic State in West Africa Province
(ISWAP) claimed responsibility
for the attack.
On May 11, there was an explosion at a bar in Lewu Junction
area of Kabba town, Kogi.
Two weeks later, another explosion occurred at a bar in Kabba town,
Kabbah-Bunu LGA.
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