The Taraba State Police Command has revealed that three children lost their lives in Didango Geita village, Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state, following what appears to be an accidental discharge from a dane gun.
Addressing the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, David Iloyonomon, dismissed claims by some villagers suggesting that the deaths resulted from an explosion caused by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), according to Channels TV reports on Sunday.
Iloyonomon clarified that the tragedy occurred when gunpowder from the dane gun unexpectedly exploded, resulting in the fatalities.
The police commissioner explained that while three children were playing on a tree, four others were on the ground, sustaining injuries. The injured children are currently receiving treatment at the state specialist hospital in Jalingo, the state capital.
“One Danjuma Audu informed the police about the explosion which claimed the lives of three youngsters and injured four others.
“Upon receiving the information, we dispatched the anti-bomb unit of the Nigeria Police Force to the scene for a thorough search. The investigation revealed no evidence of dynamite or IEDs at the scene. Instead, pellets from a dane gun were found, believed to be responsible for the fatalities,” stated the CP.
As there were no indications of an assailant, the police suspect the incident to be an accidental discharge.
The police have sealed off the area and launched an investigation to ascertain further details.
Further examination by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D) unit confirmed that the recovered pellets are typically used in combination with gunpowder to prepare ammunition for dane guns.
Interviews conducted with Danjuma Audu, the individual who reported the incident, revealed that the three deceased children were atop a tree in the farm, while the other four on the ground sustained injuries.
Identified as Miracle Danjuma (11), Liyacheyan Bitrus (12), and Kefas Bitrus (11), the deceased children were mourned alongside the injured: Joseph Danjuma (8), Leah Aluda (8), Godbless Hassan (7), and Christian Hassan (7).
