Tragedy struck in the Idi-Araba area of Mushin on Thursday when an explosion ripped through Taiwo Street, killing one person and injuring three others.

According to the Lagos State Police Command, the blast occurred after a local scavenger reportedly stumbled upon military-grade grenades while sorting through scrap materials and attempted to dismantle one of the explosives.

The grenade detonated immediately, killing the scavenger on the spot and leaving three nearby individuals seriously injured.

Police received a distress call around 1:30 p.m., prompting the swift deployment of operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit in Ikeja to the scene. The area was cordoned off for safety and preliminary investigations.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Friday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident. He described the explosion as an accident, triggered during the scavenger\'s attempt to tamper with the device.

“The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention, while the deceased’s remains have been deposited at a public morgue for autopsy,” Hundeyin said.

He added that investigations are ongoing to determine how the military-grade explosives found their way into civilian scrap materials.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain alert and immediately report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies.

The incident has sparked concern among locals, with many calling for tighter regulation of scrap yards and increased public awareness about the dangers of handling unidentified metallic objects.