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One Killed As Another Explosion Rocks Kogi Festival Ground 

At least one person has been reported  dead and several others injured in an explosion at Okene in the central district of Kogi State.

Sources said the explosion occurred on Thursday night at Idoji area of Okene when people, including masquerades, gathered to celebrate the annual Echane festival in Okene.

An eyewitness, one Usman Animuko Sani, said the sound of the explosion affected many residents of the area, adding that a man lost his legs while many others sustained injuries.

He said one of the victims died on the way to Okengwe General Hospital.

Sani further stated that some of the victims were later referred to Lokoja from the general hospital.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP William Ayah, who confirmed the incident, said one of the victims died in the hospital.

“More details are being awaited from the operatives on the ground. The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Edward Egbuka, had drafted police from anti-bomb unit to the scene to uncover the cause of the explosion”, he said. 

The Okene explosion happened few weeks after  two explosions occurred at Kabba where a woman lost her life and her younger brother lost one of his legs.

A night attack was launched at Ogaminana police station in Adavi Local Government Area on Saturday 23rd April. Three police officers on duty were killed in the invasion.

On Wednesday 11 May a mysterious explosion occurred at beer parlour around Lewu junction in the ancient town of Kabba, headquarter of Kabba-Bunu LGA. No less than three persons died in the explosion.

Another beer parlour was rocked by explosion on Sunday, 29th May at Okepadi area of the town. Eleven people were hospitalised because of injuries the explosion inflicted on them.

While investigations are ongoing on the incidents, a terrorist group, Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, active in the northwest and making inroad to the north central area, has claimed responsibility for at least one of the attacks.

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