A suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) ripped through the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, on Monday. The blast left one person injured and sent waves of panic through local traders and residents.

Lagos State Police Commissioner 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 police commissioner disclosed that one person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. He said 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.

Chief Tajudeen Faronbi, the Baale of the Oke Mushin Community, revealed that he was alerted to a suspicious vehicle in the area during the early hours of Monday. Faronbi immediately contacted security forces, triggering a rapid response that brought roughly 35 police operatives and backup units to the scene to secure the perimeter.

The police commissioner urged residents not to panic, dismissing rumours suggesting a broader security threat in Lagos. He said the command remains committed to protecting lives and property across Lagos State. Criminal elements should stay away from Lagos, he warned.

While the identity of the vehicle's owner remains unknown pending further investigation, the initial chaos was short-lived. Business activities in the bustling commercial hub have gradually resumed after security agencies gave the all-clear.

The incident has sparked concerns about security in Lagos, Africa's largest economy. The city has experienced a rise in kidnapping and armed robbery cases in recent years. However, authorities have been working to boost security measures in the city, including increasing the number of CCTV cameras and deploying more police officers.

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

Key Facts:

  • The explosion occurred on Monday at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos.
  • One person was injured in the incident and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
  • The police commissioner said preliminary findings indicate that the explosion was caused by an IED concealed beneath a vehicle.
  • EOD experts conducted a detailed search of the environment and confirmed that no other explosive devices were present in the area.
  • The vehicle's owner remains unknown pending further investigation.
  • Business activities in the commercial hub have gradually resumed after security agencies gave the all-clear.
  • The police commissioner urged residents not to panic and said the command remains committed to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.
  • The incident has sparked concerns about security in Lagos.