By Akinwale Kasali
Lagos is on edge following a bomb explosion in Mushin, a very densely populated area in Lagos State.
The incident triggered a pandemonium as residents of Mushin, the commercial city in the State ran for their lives.
It was gathered that the incident happened at a Shoe Material Factory where the Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was planted under a parked car.
According to the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Tajudeen Faronbi, the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday while he was observing his morning prayers.
“Early this morning, around one o’clock, while I was praying, I received a call that something unusual had been seen. When I got there, I saw a vehicle and people were afraid to go near it,” he said.
He explained that due to the sensitivity of the situation, he immediately contacted the Area Commander and other security authorities, who quickly mobilised officers to the scene.
According to him, dozens of Police Officers, about 35 operatives, were deployed to secure the area, while additional backup units were also drafted to ensure order and prevent residents from approaching the scene.
The Baale said that if not for the swift response of the Police in restoring calm, it could have escalated into unprecedented panic within the community.
He added that security operatives later cordoned off the area and took control of the situation, moving in to assess the suspicious vehicle and safeguard residents.
He also noted that the identity and ownership of the vehicle remained unclear, adding that residents were unable to confirm who parked it or its purpose.
Addressing journalist on the issue, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, who went to the scene of the incident assured residents and Lagosians that there was no need to panic as the Police have carried out a comprehensive sweep of the environment.
He assured residents of their safety, and urged them to go about their businesses without fear or panic.
According to him, the Police received information about an explosion and immediately deployed Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, operatives to cordon off and secure the area.
“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.
Tijani further explained that preliminary findings indicated that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device planted under a vehicle.
The Lagos State Police Chief added that the said device was placed beneath the passenger side of the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.
“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” he stated.
According to him, one person sustained injuries in the incident and has been taken to a hospital, where the victim is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition.
Speaking further, the State Commissioner of Police added that after a detailed sweep by EOD experts, no additional explosive devices were discovered in the area.
He urged members of the public, especially residents and traders in the affected commercial area, to remain calm and resume normal activities. He stated
that the remnants of the explosive device had been recovered and taken for forensic examination as investigations continue.
He also advised residents of Mushin and its environs to remain calm and disregard rumours suggesting widespread insecurity in Lagos, describing them as false and misleading, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
Tijani warned criminal elements to stay away from Lagos, as the State would not condone any illicit and criminal activities in the State.
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