Panic briefly gripped traders and residents around the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, on Monday after a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated in the area.
Addressing journalists at the scene, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, assured residents that the situation had been brought under control and that there was no immediate threat to public safety.
According to him, police operatives responded swiftly after receiving reports of the explosion, deploying members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to secure and thoroughly search the area.
“We immediately deployed our EOD team after receiving information about the blast. The area was secured and carefully swept,” Tijani said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the explosion was triggered by an IED concealed beneath a vehicle parked in the market vicinity.
“The device had been placed under the passenger side of the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started,” the police commissioner explained.
One person sustained injuries in the incident and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Police said the victim is responding well and remains in stable condition.
Tijani disclosed that EOD experts conducted an extensive search of the area and found no additional explosive devices. Fragments recovered from the blast site have been taken away for forensic analysis as investigations continue.
He urged traders and residents to remain calm and continue their normal activities, dismissing reports suggesting a wider security threat in Lagos as unfounded.
“The public should disregard rumours and misleading information. Lagos remains safe, and we are committed to protecting lives and property across the state,” he said, warning criminal elements to stay away from the state.
Also speaking, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Tajudeen Faronbi, recounted how the incident unfolded in the early hours of Monday.
“About 1 a.m., while I was observing my prayers, I received a call about a suspicious situation. When I got there, I saw a vehicle and people were too scared to approach it,” he said.
Faronbi said he immediately alerted security authorities, including the Area Commander, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement agencies.
According to him, about 35 security operatives were initially deployed to the scene, with additional personnel arriving later to maintain order and keep residents at a safe distance.
“The quick intervention of the security agencies prevented panic from spreading and helped bring the situation under control,” he added.
The community leader noted that security operatives cordoned off the area and took charge of the investigation, but the identity of the vehicle’s owner had yet to be established.
Residents, he said, could not determine who parked the vehicle or why it had been left in the area.
