Bomb Explodes In Lagos Market

At least one trader escaped death by the whiskers on Monday when a bomb explosion, suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), occurred in the Shoe Materials Market area of Mushin, Lagos State.

The blast, which raised fears among traders in the market and area residents, was said to have occurred near a parked vehicle in the busy commercial district.

It was gathered that security agencies swiftly responded, cordoned off the area, and launched investigations into the incident.

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

Tijani said the device had been planted under the passenger side of the vehicle. It detonated when the engine was started, adding that, “The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started.”

According to him, 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.

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

According to him, EOD experts conducted a detailed search of the environment and confirmed that no other explosive devices were present in the area.

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

He urged residents not to panic and dismissed rumours of a broader security threat in Lagos, describing them as false and misleading.