Connect with us

Lifestyle

The Sad Story of the Deadly Ikeja Bomb Blast in 2002

Published

on

On January 27, 2002, Lagos State witnessed one of the darkest chapters in its history. The serenity of Ikeja was shattered when explosions erupted at the Ikeja Military Cantonment armoury, sending bombs flying across the city and igniting fires that devastated communities. What followed was panic, tragedy, and the loss of over a thousand lives.

A Night of Horror

That Sunday evening, a fire broke out in a nearby market and spread to the military base where high-calibre bombs and explosives were stored. At about 6:00 pm, the flames reached the munitions depot, triggering an enormous explosion that destroyed parts of Ikeja and neighbouring districts like Oshodi, Isolo, and Ejigbo.

The impact was catastrophic:

Streets were torn apart by the blasts.

Debris caused fires that engulfed homes.

Tremors shattered windows 15 km away and were felt as far as 50 km inland.

Thousands fled in fear, but in the chaos, many ran towards the concealed Ejigbo canal, hidden beneath water hyacinth in the darkness. Unaware of the danger, panicked crowds fell into the water, where at least 600 people—many of them children—were drowned or crushed in the stampede.

Death and Destruction

The explosions rained grenades, shells, and bullets across northern Lagos, intensifying the panic. Reports described people leaping from burning buildings, stampeding across highways, and being trampled underfoot.

By the time the fires were controlled on January 28, the devastation was immense:

Over 1,100 people killed (Red Cross estimates).

At least 5,000 injured.

More than 20,000 displaced and thousands left homeless.

See also  One injured in clashes over deposed Osun monarch’s burial rites

Entire neighbourhoods in northern Lagos were reduced to ashes.

Government and Military Response

The Nigerian Army was blamed for negligence, as the cantonment had not been decommissioned despite earlier warnings after a smaller explosion in 2001. President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the site on January 28 and demanded answers from the military, but the tragedy left behind more questions than solutions.

Emergency services struggled to cope:

Fire crews were too few and ill-equipped.

Hospitals were overwhelmed with the injured.

Rescue efforts were slow, leaving many trapped in debris and flames.

A Forgotten Tragedy

Initially, the Lagos State Government marked January 27 as a day of remembrance, but over time, public commemoration faded into silence. For the families of victims, however, the trauma remains unforgettable—a wound in the history of Lagos.

The Ikeja Bomb Blast serves as a painful reminder of the consequences of negligence and the human cost of failing to prioritize safety.

source : Kazeem Ugbodga

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

Declare Your Lineage – Royal Family Tells Musician KWAM 1 Over His Interest In Becoming Next Awujale Of Ijebuland

Published

on

KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has instructed Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to confirm his family’s royal lineage to validate his membership in the ruling house.

KWAM 1, in a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House in Agunsebi Quarters, Ijebu-Ode, announced his interest in the stool, describing himself as a “bonafide son” of the ruling house.

KWAM 1 also stated that his candidacy aligns with Ijebu customary law and the Ogun State Chieftaincy Laws.

In an interview with Punch, the Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, said only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.

Owoyemi explained that KWAM 1, Olori Omooba of Ijebu land and others interested in the stool have been directed to complete the Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form.

According to him, the form, which requires contenders to trace their genealogy back seven generations, ensures that only genuine princes from the family can participate, thereby blocking “strangers” from claiming the throne.

He said, “The first step for anyone interested in contesting for the Awujale throne is to declare their lineage by filling the standard Fusengbuwa ruling house royal lineage data form. Once confirmed as a legitimate member of the ruling house, they can then apply for the expression of interest form.

See also  Marital dispute: Edo Assembly summons 2Baba’s wife

“We have told him, just like everyone else interested in the Awujale throne, that the first step is to declare his lineage. He will do this by completing the royal lineage data form, showing his full name, which parent and grandparent he descends from, and continuing up to seven generations.

“The completed form will be signed and submitted to the head of the ruling house unit of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, who will affirm that he is a genuine member. Only then will the process move forward.”

Owoyemi emphasised that although the application window for the throne officially closed on December 5, KWAM 1 had been given a five-day extension, which would lapse on December 10.

He noted, “We won’t shut anybody out of picking the next Awujale, but we must ensure that you are a legitimate member of Fusengbuwa. Every right comes with responsibilities. For a royal family, everyone must prove their legitimacy by completing the royal lineage data form.

“When we receive the form, we will review it meticulously. If clarification is needed, we will contact the applicant. We welcome men of influence who will use their influence to enhance the throne, not to claim it, ensuring that what truly belongs to our family is preserved.”

Owoyemi explained that the local government has given them 14 days to select candidates, and the ruling house hopes to have a new Awujale by the second or third week of January 2026.

He added, “The local government has given us 14 days to select candidates, which expires on December 18. After that, the kingmakers have seven days to deliberate and choose one candidate, whose name will be forwarded to the governor.

See also  PHOTOS: Nollywood Actress Binta Ayo Mogaji

“Legally, the government then has 21 days to conduct background checks and security clearance, allowing for objections or protests. After this period, the State Executive Council will ratify the nominee, and the governor will announce the next Awujale, after which coronation rites will commence.

“So, combining the candidate selection, kingmakers’ deliberation, and legal objection period, we are looking at around 42 days. Therefore, we expect the next Awujale to emerge between the second and third week of January.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Lifestyle

VIDEO: I’m Married But Not In My Husband’s House; I Didn’t Have The Experience Of Living Happily Ever After – Singer Shola Allyson Reveals

Published

on

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sola Allyson, the popular Nigerian gospel singer, has revealed that she is not currently living with her husband.

The musician made this known in her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV.

While speaking about her love life, the 54-year-old who came into limelight with a love album ‘Eji Owuro’, revealed that she is married but not living with her husband.

Sharing her marital experience, the singer said she has never enjoyed the kind of happiness many people describe.

“I’m married, but I’m not in my husband’s house. We live separately. He in his house and I in mine.”

The interviewer asked: “You sang ‘Eji Owuro’, did you experience genuine love from your husband?

She replied, “We lied before. Those older than us didn’t inform us that it’s tough. They made us believe that so long as you both love each other, you will live happily ever after, but it’s a lie.

“That’s not the experience I have. I didn’t have the experience of living happily ever after. I did all I could to make it work.

“Marriage has been a big challenge. I hear people talk about joy in marriage, but I have never experienced it.”

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

See also  Lest We Forget: A Historical Reflection on Yoruba-Igbo Tensions
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

VIDEO: Shola Allyson Finally Opens Up, Reveals Why She Does Not Reference Jesus In Her Songs

Published

on

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Shola Allyson, the renowned Nigerian songstress, has opened up on the real reason she avoids mentioning the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

See also  One injured in clashes over deposed Osun monarch’s burial rites
Continue Reading

Trending