Explosion Rocks Mushin Market in Lagos, Injures One

Panic erupted at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, on Monday after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) hidden beneath a vehicle exploded, leaving one person injured.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, who visited the scene, assured residents and traders that the situation had been brought under control following a thorough operation by security personnel.

According to the police chief, officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit were immediately deployed after reports of the explosion reached the command. The area was secured and extensively searched.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the explosive device had been concealed beneath the passenger side of a vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.

The injured victim was rushed to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

Tijani stated that EOD experts conducted a detailed sweep of the area and confirmed that no additional explosive devices were discovered. He added that fragments of the device had been recovered and sent for forensic analysis as investigations continue.

The commissioner urged residents to disregard rumours suggesting a rise in insecurity across Lagos, maintaining that the state remains safe. He also reaffirmed the police command’s commitment to protecting lives and property while warning criminal elements to stay away from the state.

Speaking on the incident, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Tajudeen Faronbi, said he was alerted to the suspicious vehicle around 1 a.m. while observing prayers. Upon arriving at the scene, he noticed residents were afraid to approach the vehicle.

Faronbi said he immediately informed security authorities, prompting the deployment of about 35 police officers, with additional personnel later arriving to secure the area and keep residents at a safe distance.

According to him, the owner of the vehicle remains unknown, as no one in the area has been able to identify who parked it at the market or the reason it was left there.