Many people were reportedly injured on Friday night when an explosion occurred at a camera shop located in Kodesoh Street in Ikeja area of Lagos State.
Witnesses, who spoke with our correspondent claimed that the incident occurred when a shop attendant tried to open a suspicious parcel delivered to the store.
Emergency services, including Police from Area G Station, EOD-CBRN Base 23 Ikeja, and personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), were immediately dispatched to the scene to manage the aftermath of the explosion and secure the area.
An eyewitness, Lucky Okoro, while describing the moments leading to the blast, said: “Around after six o’clock in the evening, I was about to step into the shop when the explosion happened. I only put my leg on the pavement leading to the shop, and the blast pushed me away. I couldn’t wait for anything; I just had to run for safety. But we saw that fire caught a lady and a man inside the shop.”
Another witness, Olumide Gbeleyi, who shared his experience from a nearby hotel, said: “I was upstairs when we noticed smoke covering everywhere. When they asked us to come down, we realised it was an explosion from the camera shop. A lady selling snacks outside was badly affected, and another lady had to pull off her bra because the fire caught her clothes.”
Sule Aminu, who claimed knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the explosion, alleged that the mysterious package might have been intended to harm the shop owner.
“The owner has three shops on the street, connected by CCTV cameras. Someone brought the package this evening, and when one of the attendants tried to open it, it exploded. They’ve already reviewed footage from the CCTV in another shop to confirm what happened,” Aminu stated.
