By Yinka Giwa
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday dismissed initial fears that Monday’s explosion in Mushin was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), instead attributing the blast to the failure of an unspecified “pressurised mechanical component” located outside a vehicle.
Addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani said exhaustive forensic investigations had conclusively ruled out terrorism, sabotage or any criminal use of explosives, but stopped short of identifying the exact mechanical component responsible for the explosion.
According to him, the incident, which occurred at No. 19 Wey Street, Mushin, resulted from the catastrophic failure of the pressurised auto part, leading to a sudden release of energy that shattered the front passenger-side glass panels of the vehicle and left one occupant with minor injuries.
Tijani explained that the incident was initially treated as a suspected IED attack because of the nature of the explosion, prompting the immediate deployment of experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit.
He said the specialists carried out extensive forensic and technical examinations, analysing the damaged vehicle, recovered fragments, blast patterns and other physical evidence, while also interviewing relevant witnesses.
“Our technical findings revealed no traces of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems, explosive residues or blast characteristics ordinarily associated with explosive attacks,” the police commissioner said.
He added that investigators also found none of the structural deformation, fragmentation patterns or other indicators typically associated with explosions caused by explosive devices.
“Based on our findings, the incident has been professionally classified as a mechanical explosion, and the case has been officially reclassified from a suspected IED incident,” Tijani stated.
He reassured Lagos residents that there was no evidence linking the explosion to terrorism, insurgency, sabotage, or any wider threat to public safety.
The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities, assuring them that every reported explosion or similar incident would continue to receive thorough professional investigation.
He also commended residents whose prompt alert to emergency responders and security agencies helped ensure a swift response and facilitated the subsequent investigation.