Sodiq Rabiu
At least one person was killed on Thursday killed in two bomb explosions in Nigeria’s northcentral state of Niger, an official said on Thursday.
The incident happened in Bassa community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state
According to locals, the first explosion occurred as three siblings, Mali, Nehemiah, and Jona, aged 20, 15, and 14, were riding a motorcycle.
The second one went up when a motorcycle carrying rescuers stomped on it, killing one of the rescuers, Dauda Haruna.
A child killed in the first incident has been buried according to Islamic rites, while four other children are receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, a local newspaper reported.
The explosion reportedly occurred when the children discovered the bomb on the ground while playing.
The device suddenly went off, killing one child instantly and causing severe injuries to the others.
A different account suggested the children were on their way to the farm when the bomb detonated.
A resident of the community, Ahmed Almustapha, said three of the injured victims, who lost their legs in the explosion, are siblings and his sister’s children.
“This is the second explosion in Bassa this month. Two weeks ago, another bomb blast claimed a life when the victim was heading to the farm,” Almustapha told The Punch newspaper.
He called on the Niger State Government and the Federal Government to address the security situation in the area, emphasising the community’s inability to safely return to their farms.
Niger State Commissioner for Transport, Hadiza Kuta, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.
“One person died and has been buried. Four others who were injured have been taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital for treatment,” she said.
The Niger State Police Command could not be reached for comments.
Follow the KOIKIMEDIA NEWS 🗞️ CHANNEL on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VatGuwaGufJ1s73IEk0N