The explosion in Afikpo area of Ebonyi State Tuesday afternoon was caused by the an accidental detonation of a grenade, the police in the state claims.
The incident, said to have occurred close to a primary school in the area, police spokesperson, Loveth Odah, said was caused by a police officer who accidentally detonated the explosive device.
Mrs Odah claimed the late officer, Idi Aminu, by name, is known to the state police command and was pronounced dead in a nearby hospital were he was rushed to after the explosion.
Her account differs from multimedia reports streamed live after the explosion. A voice behind a trending video clip on social media said the man whose heart was shattered by the explosive device attempted to gain entrance into the nearby school but was stopped by the gateman after failing to tender sufficient reason to be allowed in.
After being refused entrance, the dead man on mufti lying down facing the sky at an open field said to be opposite the school, detonated the explosive, which the police claim was a grenade, killing only himself.
The explanation of police have generated mixed reactions with many questioning what a police officer on duty should be doing with a grenade in his possession.
