The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that the explosion at the shoe materials market in the Mushin area of Lagos was not caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), terrorist activity, sabotage, or any criminal use of explosives.
One person sustained injuries on Monday after a vehicle exploded at the market.
Speaking during a visit to the scene, Fatai Tijani, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, had initially said the command received a distress report and immediately deployed explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operatives to the area.
According to NAN, Tijani had stated that preliminary findings suggested the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted beneath the passenger side of the vehicle, which detonated when the engine was started. He added that the injured victim was receiving treatment and was in stable condition.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, Abimbola Adebisi, spokesperson for the command, said further investigations found no evidence of an IED or any explosive device.
“The Command is pleased to inform the good people of Lagos State and Nigerians at large that the investigation has conclusively established that the incident was not caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), terrorist activity, sabotage, or any form of criminal use of explosives,” the statement read.
“Technical findings revealed no traces of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems, explosive residues, or blast characteristics ordinarily associated with explosive attacks.
“Investigation established that the incident resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurized mechanical component outside the vehicle.
“This failure generated a sudden release of energy which caused the shattering of the vehicle’s front passenger side glass panels and resulted in minor injuries to the occupant.”
Adebisi added that, based on the outcome of the investigation, the incident has been officially classified as a mechanical explosion.