A quiet Monday morning turned chaotic in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, following an explosion at the shoe materials section of the popular Mushin market. The blast, triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), left one person injured and raised serious security concerns among local traders.
Midnight Blast Causes Panic in Oke Mushin
The incident occurred at approximately 1:00 AM on Monday at 22 Wey Street, Oke Mushin. The explosive device had been planted underneath a parked Toyota Sienna with registration number Lagos AAA11FX. It remains unclear who owns the vehicle or why it was targeted.
Police Deploy Bomb Disposal Unit
Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Tijani, confirmed the incident and stated that emergency protocols were immediately activated. The state’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was deployed to the scene to secure the area and conduct post-blast investigations.
According to the police chief, the IED was strategically placed under the passenger side of the vehicle. “We quickly deployed our EOD team after we received reports of the explosion. The IED was under the vehicle on the passenger side. It blew up when they started the vehicle,” Commissioner Tijani stated. The detonation resulted in one injury, with the victim currently receiving medical attention.
Traders Urged to Remain Vigilant
The motive behind the attack remains unknown as police investigations continue. Security agencies have cordoned off the affected section of the shoe materials market to search for any secondary devices and gather forensic evidence.
Meanwhile, local authorities have urged residents and business owners in Mushin to report any suspicious individuals, unattended bags, or unusual vehicular movements to the police immediately to prevent future occurrences.