Lagos explosion: Police send debris to Abuja for forensic tests

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have forwarded materials recovered from the explosion that occurred in the Oke Mushin area of Lagos to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for advanced forensic examination.

The explosion, suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, occurred at about 6 a.m. on Wey Street, Oke Mushin, after the owner of a gold Toyota Sienna with registration number AAA 11FX attempted to start the vehicle, which had been parked overnight.

The blast prompted an immediate response from security agencies, including bomb disposal experts and senior police officers, who swiftly secured the area and commenced investigations into the incident.

A police source familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries, while no other casualty was recorded.

According to the source, the incident caused panic in the busy area at the time of the explosion, but normal activities have since resumed.

“The situation is under control. The driver was only slightly injured and no further damage was recorded. We are still trying to determine the exact nature of the object involved,” the source said.

The source added that preliminary observations suggested the suspicious object appeared to be a small container concealed inside a bag positioned near a shop close to where the vehicle was parked.

He explained that the recovered fragments and other exhibits had been transferred to Abuja for detailed forensic analysis aimed at determining the exact composition and origin of the device.

Speaking on the development, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, confirmed the explosion during a briefing with journalists at the command headquarters.

“There was an explosion. Any explosion can be linked to an IED, and that is what I can confirm for now,” the police commissioner said.

He noted that operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, unit were still examining evidence recovered from the scene and assured the public that a comprehensive report would be made available after investigations are concluded.