Few hours to the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Kogi State, an explosion has rocked the ancient city of Okene, killing four people on the spot.
While some residents ascribed the explosion to improvised explosive device, some said it was caused by a faulty electricity transformer.
The explosion occurred at about 8:30 am near the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim.
Both the dead and injured victims of the explosion are believed to he security men.
It came amid the tight security mounted in and around Okene ahead of President Buhari’s visit.
In fact , all vehicular movements from South West and South -South through Okene to other parts of Nigeria were blocked since about 6:30am while residents were also restricted to their residential areas.
The state government had earlier declared today as a public holiday to give the President a rousing welcome to the state.
While in Kogi State, the president is scheduled to inaugurate six projects , two of which are located in Okene and its environ.
Eye witnesses said the explosion came from a vehicle driven by a man.
The state police command is yet to react to the development.
The state police command spokesman, SP William Aya did not pick any of the several calls made to him.
However, the incident did not in anyway affect the official visit of President Buhari to the town as he arrived in Okene in a chopper almost one hour after the explosion.
After inaugurating some project , Buhari is currently in a town hall meeting with residents of Okene frim where he is expected to come down to Lokoja to inaugurate my re projects executed by Governor Yahaya Bello.(vitalnewsngr.com)
