Bomb explosion rocks Lagos market

A bomb explosion suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) sparked panic in the Shoe Materials Market area of Mushin, Lagos on Monday, leaving one person injured and raising fears among traders and residents.

The blast, which occurred around a parked vehicle within the busy commercial district, drew a swift response from security agencies, who immediately cordoned off the area and launched investigations into the incident.

Although the explosion triggered anxiety among residents and business owners, authorities later assured the public that the situation had been brought under control and that no additional explosive devices were found after an extensive security sweep.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, who visited the scene, said preliminary findings indicated that the explosion was caused by an IED concealed beneath a vehicle.

According to him, the device had been planted under the passenger side of the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.

“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” Tijani told journalists.

He explained that police operatives, including members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, were immediately deployed after reports of the explosion reached the command.

“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.

The police commissioner disclosed that one person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. He added that the victim was responding to treatment and remained in stable condition.

Tijani said EOD experts conducted a detailed search of the environment and confirmed that no other explosive devices were present in the area.

He also revealed that fragments of the explosive device had been recovered and sent for forensic examination to assist ongoing investigations aimed at identifying those behind the incident.

Urging residents not to panic, the police chief dismissed rumours suggesting a broader security threat in Lagos, describing such claims as false and misleading.

“The command remains committed to protecting lives and property across Lagos State. Criminal elements should stay away from Lagos,” he warned.

Also speaking, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Tajudeen Faronbi, said he received a distress call in the early hours of Monday about a suspicious vehicle in the area.

“Early this morning, around one o’clock, while I was praying, I received a call that something unusual had been seen. When I got there, I saw a vehicle and people were afraid to go near it,” he said.

Faronbi said he immediately alerted security authorities, prompting the rapid deployment of about 35 police operatives and additional backup personnel to secure the area and prevent panic.

He noted that the identity and ownership of the vehicle involved in the explosion were still unknown, while investigations continue.

The incident briefly disrupted activities in the commercial hub, but normalcy gradually returned after security agencies declared the area safe and urged traders and residents to resume their daily activities.