A bomb explosion at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, caused fear among traders and residents, leaving one person injured.
The incident happened in the early hours of Monday and drew the attention of security agencies, who quickly moved to the area to prevent further danger.
Following reports of the blast, the Lagos State Police Command deployed its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to secure the scene and carry out a thorough search.
Speaking to journalists at the market, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said preliminary investigations showed that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) hidden beneath a vehicle.
According to him, the device had been placed under the passenger side of the vehicle and exploded when the engine was switched on.
He disclosed that one person suffered injuries from the blast and was rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
The victim was said to be responding well to treatment and remains in stable condition.
The police commissioner stated that EOD experts carefully searched the surrounding area after the explosion and did not find any other explosive materials.
He added that parts of the device used in the attack had been recovered and taken away for forensic examination as investigations continue.
Tijani urged traders and residents in the area not to panic, assuring them that the situation had been brought under control and that normal activities could continue.
He also advised members of the public to ignore false reports suggesting that the incident was part of a wider security threat in Lagos.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police command to protecting lives and property across the state and warned criminals against operating in Lagos.
Also speaking on the incident, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Tajudeen Faronbi, said he received information about a suspicious situation around 1 a.m. while observing his morning prayers.
According to him, when he arrived at the scene, residents had already gathered but were afraid to go near the vehicle involved.
He immediately contacted security authorities, including the Area Commander, leading to a swift response from law enforcement officers.
Faronbi said dozens of police personnel were deployed to the area, while additional officers were brought in to maintain order and keep residents away from the scene until safety checks were completed.
He noted that the quick intervention by security agencies helped prevent panic from spreading through the community.
He added that officers later took full control of the area and carried out necessary checks on the suspicious vehicle.
The community leader further stated that the identity of the vehicle and its owner had not been established at the time, as residents could not confirm who parked it or why it was left there.
