Panic gripped residents and traders in the Oke Mushin area of Lagos on Monday morning after an improvised explosive device (IED) hidden beneath a parked vehicle exploded, leaving one person injured and causing significant damage to the automobile.
The incident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. on Wey Street in Oke Mushin when the owner of a Toyota Sienna, who had parked the vehicle overnight, reportedly started the engine, unknowingly triggering the explosive device attached underneath the passenger side of the car. The blast sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, prompting residents to flee for safety amid fears of further explosions.
Eyewitnesses said the victim sustained minor injuries from the impact and was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. The explosion badly damaged the vehicle, with parts of the car scattered around the scene, while nearby residents and business owners gathered in confusion as emergency responders moved in.
The development triggered an immediate response from security agencies, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, personally led senior officers to the scene to assess the situation and supervise preliminary investigations.
Addressing journalists, the police commissioner confirmed that initial findings indicated that the explosive device had been deliberately planted beneath the vehicle and detonated shortly after the ignition was turned on. He explained that investigators had begun questioning the injured victim and examining available evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to Fatai, bomb disposal experts thoroughly combed the area to ensure there were no additional explosive materials that could pose a threat to residents. Fragments and remnants of the device were recovered and have been sent for forensic examination to assist investigators in identifying the type of explosive used and tracing those responsible.
The commissioner assured members of the public that the scene had been declared safe after extensive security checks and urged residents to remain calm and continue with their daily activities without fear. He also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies.
Traditional authorities in the community also played a role in preventing chaos after the blast. The Baale of Oke Mushin, Chief Tajudeen Lasisi Farunbi, disclosed that he received a distress call shortly after the explosion and immediately alerted the police. He said he advised residents against approaching the damaged vehicle, a move that helped security personnel secure the area and avoid further casualties.
The incident has raised concerns over the appearance of explosive devices in densely populated urban areas, with residents expressing fears over what they described as an unusual security threat in Lagos. Some traders in the area temporarily suspended business activities as security officials carried out investigations.
Police authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible for planting the device. Investigators are expected to analyse forensic evidence, review witness accounts and explore possible links that could provide clues to the perpetrators.
Security experts have stressed the importance of heightened vigilance and public cooperation in preventing similar incidents, noting that timely reporting of suspicious objects and unusual activities remains crucial in safeguarding lives and property.
As investigations continue, authorities have assured Lagos residents that every effort is being made to uncover the circumstances behind the explosion and bring those responsible to justice while maintaining peace and security across the state.
