Four persons, including a soldier, were confirmed dead after a grenade exploded yesterday at Beri market in Mariga local government area of Niger state.
Eight persons were seriously wounded in the incident.
Leadership reports that the grenade was allegedly mishandled by the deceased soldier, Mohammed Tanko, a private who was on a military approved pass.
Reports say that the soldier was displaying one of the grenade around Mahauta area of the market in Beri to his friends when it exploded.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, gave the names of those who died during the explosion as Wasila Adamu and Ruma Bello, both 14 years old as well as a 20-year old girl, Kulu Garba.
The police spokesman also confirmed that Aisha Musa, Alhaji Tukur Umaru, Barmo Gado Maikifi, Ishaya Timothy, Saliha Audu, Balki Salisu, Tukur Sadiq and Mohammad Danbujaja all of Beri sustained various degree of injury.
The police spokesman added that Niger state commissioner of police, Zubairu Muazu, has ordered for an in-depth investigation into the incident, just as he enjoined the people of the area to remain calm as the police was on top of the situation.
