In the wake of 2002, in the evening of January 27th whennw had just completed the celebration of welcoming in the new year, the streets of Lagos was in its usual busy states, lovers hand in hand, strolling after a dinner date. It was one evening that was filled with joy until disaster struck.
Ikeja military cantonment is in the heart of Maryland and Ikeja Government Reserved Area of Lagos state. How I wished that I could go back in time and avert that disaster that snatched over three hundred promising lives.
It was a bomb blast explosion that occurred in the barracks but its effects could be felt as far as three local government areas away.
We first thought that it was a continuation of the fireworks of the yuletide. The memories of the knockouts, bangers that had been thrown into the air at the dawn of the new year made it unbelievable that it was a bomb blast.
Suddenly, the red flame went so high into the dark sky that once had glittering night stars. Everyone took to their heels and ran to hide their heads from the looming danger.
Some people started shouting the blood of Jesus. Others were confessing their many sins in the bid of not missing out of the rapture. The flaming gorge that covered the sky made it look like the rapture was about to take place.
Everyone scampered for their lives and in the race to be safe entered an uncovered canal and drowned. It was on record that over 1,100 people lost their lives and about 20,000 displaced or became homeless. It was indeed a disaster that will not be forgotten in the snaps of history in Nigeria.
IF I WERE OMNI-POTENT
Man cannot be God but if I had the powers to control these things I would have neutralised the power of the bombs and they would have become ineffective. The bombs were said to me to be mismanaged in the armory of the Nigerian Army at Ikeja Military Cantonment, Ikeja.
The missiles would have been still available and kept for future defense purposes. However, the explosion was not just chaotic for the killings but also capital resources were wasted.
Also, the mass burial site at Oke-Afa at Isolo would have been used for other beneficial purposes than being a burial site that amounts to nothing more than the remembrance of the avoidable bomb blast that greeted us in the wee hours of 2002.
Having sensed that something like this was going to happen, I would have ordered the government to relocate the military base to the outskirts of town as it poses danger for the civilians who have no training at all about bond explosions or scare. I would also have carried out the operation of relocating all military facilities to border towns across the nation to ensure that civilians are safe in the face of such human errors as on 27th of January 2002.
The many promising lives of young adults, teenagers and children who perished on that fateful day would have been preserved if I had super powers and was able to travel back in time.
This was the unfortunate event that stole the lives of our beloved Nigerian men and women who would have contributed their quota in furtherance of the Nigerian project all because I could not travel back in time to save the day.
Hmmmmm
May the souls of those who were lost rest in peace.
I was still in primary school when I heard about this incidence, but the memory is still fresh in my head.
It's been almost 22 years and I can only hope that which ever child was left behind as a result of the loss of his/her parent on that day, has turned out well despite the odds.
May the heavens smile on us this season and may God cause our loved ones and us to be preserved.
Thanks for coming around, @love1506. Some of these events when remembered shows how much God has invested in humanity, I mean you and I who have not gone with such disaster.
Yes.
Thankful🙏
I remember the event very well because my family used to live at Mafoluko until two days before the incident. I lost a dear friend and anyone who could travel back in time would love to change everything that happened that day.
Despite the wish to change things, I think I would just let whatever has happened be.
Sorry to hear about the past causalities for Lagos state. Bombs are either for experimental purposes or defense; they should be kept away from the General Public. You have good intentions about the past but sorry we can't do anything about it.
It rather unfortunate that there is nothing I can do now that the deed is already done.
The past remain in the past.
Ouch... I was still young then to remember but I think I remember hearing stories of this, it was that bad for real and nothing claims lives and properties setting the development of a state as backward as fire disasters
It will be something great to change indeed
It was a huge loss that was recorded in that disaster. The explosion was the first of it's kind in the history of the nation and it left an indelible mark in the lives and families of many people.
Very sad history to remember
Man. I remembered that bomb blast ooo. I pray we never encounter with such anymore. We were young then and also thought it was fireworks of celebration. But the way it vibrates made it clearer that it was something different
Seriously.....it was a sad experience for us as a nation.
The truth is that some things would have have been averted if only we paid closer attention but the challenge is that as some persons are crying some are making lots of money out of the tears of people.
It is good super power and I support you
It is so sad that the wry people who ought to protect the weak are meddling with matters that affects them.