A bomb explosion caused panic on Monday at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off under a vehicle in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, said the area remains safe and under control after security operatives carried out a full search.
Tijani spoke to journalists at the scene after officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit secured the market.
According to him, the police got information about the explosion and quickly moved to the scene.
“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.
He said early findings showed that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device placed under a vehicle.
Tijani explained that the device was hidden under the passenger side of the vehicle and exploded when the engine was started.
“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” he stated.
He said one person was injured in the incident and taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to him, the victim is in stable condition.
The commissioner added that after a detailed search by EOD experts, no other explosive devices were found in the area.
He asked traders and residents in the market to stay calm and continue their normal activities.
Tijani also said parts of the explosive device had been recovered and taken for forensic checks as investigation continues.
He urged residents to ignore rumours of rising insecurity in Lagos, saying such reports were false.
The police boss also repeated the command’s promise to protect lives and property across the state and warned criminals to stay away from Lagos.
Also speaking, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Mr Tajudeen Faronbi, said the incident happened in the early hours of Monday while he was praying.
“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 quickly contacted the Area Commander and other security officials because of the nature of the situation.
He said about 35 police officers were sent to the area, while more officers joined later to stop people from going close to the vehicle.
According to him, the quick response helped calm people and stopped the situation from causing more panic.
He added that security officers later blocked the area and took over the scene to inspect the vehicle and protect residents.
Faronbi said the owner of the vehicle was still unknown, as nobody in the area could say who parked it there or why it was brought to the market.
Cc: Nigerian Tribune