National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Olabode Adaramola
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 other females who died as a result of the explosion were 14-year old Waila Adamu, Ruma Bello, 20 years and Kulu Garba , 12 years old.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 14:40 hours, (3:40pm
Nigeria time)yesterday when the deceased Soldier who was said to have come to the village on a Pass from his Battalion in Maiduguri, Born 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 out of
overzealousness, as it blasted and killed him along sides the three friends.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, DSP, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident in a Press statement obtained by the
National Wire on Saturday in Minna the state capital, adding that Seven
other victims, among whom were three females and four males sustained various degree of injuries.
According to Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP) ‘today,
25/022017, at about 15: 40hours, 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.
As at the time of the incident, the deceased Soldier was said to be
displaying one of the grenades to his friends around Mahuata area of the market in Beri , out of overzealousness and one of the Impoverished
Explosive Devices (IEDs) blasted and killed him and 3 others namely
Wasila Adamu, F 14 yes, Ruma Bello, F 20 yrs, Kulu Garba , F 12 yrs’.
The released stated further that the injured victims were namely; Aisha
Musa F 30yrs,Alhaji Tukur Umaru M 60yrs,Barmo Gado Maikifi M 35yrs,Ishaya Timothy M 25yrs,Saliha Audu F 16yrs,Balki Salisu F 15yrs, Tukur Sadiq M 25yrs and Mohammad Danbujaja M of 60yrs all of Beri Mariga LG.
DSP Bala Elkana however revealed that one hand grenade has been recovered from the scene , while it has also 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 has ordered an in depth investigation into the incident and enjoined the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful business.
