How IED Planted Under Vehicle Expl0des In Lagos Shoe Market
How IED Planted Under Vehicle Explodes In Lagos Shoe Market
One Injured As Police Secure Area
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) planted beneath a parked vehicle detonated early Monday morning at the bustling Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, Lagos, injuring one person and triggering brief panic among traders and residents before police operatives swiftly cordoned off the area and restored calm.
The explosion occurred around 1:00 a.m. on June 22, 2026, when the device, placed on the passenger side of a vehicle, exploded as the engine was started. The blast sent shockwaves through the busy commercial hub, one of Lagos’s largest markets for shoe materials, but authorities moved quickly to contain the situation.
Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Fatai Tijani, who visited the scene on Monday, assured residents and traders that the area was safe and fully secured. Addressing journalists, Tijani said police operatives, including personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, were swiftly deployed following reports of the blast. “We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the IED was planted beneath the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started. “The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” Tijani stated. One person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
After a detailed sweep by EOD experts, no additional explosive devices were discovered in the area. Remnants of the explosive device were recovered and taken for forensic examination as investigations continued. Tijani urged residents to remain calm and disregard rumours suggesting widespread insecurity in Lagos, describing such claims as false and misleading. “Members of the public should go about their normal activities. The situation is under control,” he said.
The Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Mr. Tajudeen Faronbi, told journalists that he was alerted during his early morning prayers and immediately contacted security authorities. “Early this morning, around one o’clock, while I was praying, I received a call that something unusual had been seen. When I got there, I saw a vehicle and people were afraid to go near it,” he said.
According to Faronbi, dozens of police officers, about 35 operatives, were deployed to secure the area, while additional backup units were drafted to maintain order and prevent residents from approaching the scene. The swift response helped to calm tensions and prevent what could have escalated into panic within the community. He noted that the vehicle’s identity and ownership remained unclear, adding that residents were unable to confirm who had parked it or its purpose.
The Lagos State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, warning criminal elements to stay away from Lagos. As investigations continue, security personnel remain deployed around the market to maintain order, while forensic experts examine the remnants of the device to determine its origin and those responsible.
