Lagos Police have sent particles recovered from the June 23 explosion in Oke Mushin to Force Headquarters, Abuja, for forensic analysis.
A suspected Improvised Explosive Device detonated around 6 a.m. at 22, Wey Street, Oke Mushin, beneath a gold Toyota Sienna, reg. no. AAA 11FX, as the owner tried to start it after parking overnight. The blast injured the driver slightly and damaged a metal door and nearby property.
Bomb disposal experts and senior officers cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. Lagos Commissioner of Police CP Tijani Fatai confirmed “any explosion can be linked to IED” and said Explosive Ordnance Disposal operatives were still working on samples collected from the scene.
A police source said the device appeared to be “a small container placed inside a small bag” in front of a shop where the vehicle was parked. “We don’t know what is inside the package. We are still analysing it. It has been sent to our headquarters in Abuja for further forensic analysis,” the source told Vanguard.
CP Fatai added: “Our EOD operatives are still working on the explosion and what they were able to collect from that particular spot. So, with time, we will give you the full brief of the outcome
Traders and residents said the loud blast forced people to rush out of homes. Ebuka, a trader, said the vehicle owner had parked overnight and was leaving for Alaba when it exploded. Resident Ogundiji described it as “very terrifying” and said the blast was traced to the neighbour starting his car.
Another trader, Mr. Christian, said community leaders and Structural Materials Association chairman Mr. Okubo alerted bomb detectives who recovered device fragments from inside the vehicle and the ground