One killed, many injured as explosion rocks another Kogi community during masquerade festival (photos/video)

The explosion occurred on Thursday evening, June 2, at Idoji area of Okene where an annual masquerade festival was ongoing.

According to eyewitnesses, the bomb suspected to be a local explosive was detonated in a gathering of spectators at the festival, adding that it left nails gouged in the wounded legs of some of the victims.

One of the residents of the area who witnessed the incident Usman Animuko Sani stated that the explosion occurred around 6 pm when some people including masquerades gathered to celebrate the annual Echeane festival in Okene.

Sani who disclosed that the sound of the explosion affected many residents of the area, stated that a man whose name and address are yet to be identified lost two of his legs while many others sustained injuries.

He added that one of the victims of the explosion died on their way to Okengwe general hospital where the victims were taken to, for medical treatment.

He further added that on reaching the hospital some of the victims were referred to Lokoja as some of the injuries can not be handled by the medical personnel in Okengwe.

The latest incident occurred few weeks after two explosions in Kabba Town that claimed some lives and left many people injured.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ayah, who confirmed stated that one of the victims of the explosion has died in the hospital.

He added that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Edward Egbuka had deployed a police bomb expert to the scene of the explosion to unravel the causes of the explosion.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Abdulraheem Ohiare, has suspended the masquerade festival following the attack.

In a statement on Friday June 3, Ohiare directed custodians and traditional heads to obey the new development, assuring of his commitment to peaceful coexistence.