The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, has assured residents that the commercial area of Mushin remains safe following a brief panic caused by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion.
Addressing journalists on Monday at the scene of the incident at the Shoe Materials Market, Tijani confirmed that security operatives had conducted a comprehensive sweep of the area, restoring calm and order to the busy commercial hub.
According to the police chief, preliminary findings revealed that the IED was planted beneath the passenger side of a parked vehicle and detonated immediately after the engine was started.
Promptly responding to reports of the blast, the police deployed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operatives to cordon off and secure the location.
Tijani confirmed that one individual sustained injuries in the blast and is currently in stable condition at a hospital, adding that a thorough EOD sweep confirmed no additional explosives were present in the vicinity.
Providing insight into the early moments of the incident, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Mr. Tajudeen Faronbi, disclosed that he was alerted to an unusual situation around 1:00 AM while observing his morning prayers.
Recognizing the sensitivity of the threat, Faronbi immediately contacted the Area Commander, leading to the rapid deployment of about 35 police operatives and additional backup units to cordon off the area.
He noted that the identity and ownership of the suspicious vehicle remain unknown, but praised the swift security response for successfully preventing widespread communal panic.
Meanwhile, investigators have recovered remnants of the explosive device for forensic examination as full investigations continue.
Commissioner Tijani urged members of the public, particularly local traders and residents, to ignore misleading rumors regarding widespread insecurity in Lagos and return to their normal daily activities.
Reaffirming the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, the police boss issued a stern warning to criminal elements to stay away from the state.
