The Lagos State Police Command has said that Monday’s explosion at the shoe materials market in Mushin was not caused by terrorism, sabotage, or an improvised explosive device.
A vehicle exploded at the market on Monday morning, injuring one person.
At first, there were concerns because early reports suggested someone might have planted an explosive device under the vehicle.
Earlier, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani said the police received reports of the explosion and quickly sent the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to the scene.
Reports said that early findings suggested a device under the passenger side of the vehicle went off when the engine started.
The injured person was taken to the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
However, in a statement on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said further investigation established that the incident was not caused by an IED or any criminal use of explosives.
“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, terrorist activity, sabotage, or any form of criminal use of explosives,” the statement read.
Adebisi said technical findings revealed no traces of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems, explosive residues or blast characteristics associated with explosive attacks.
According to the police, the investigation showed that the blast resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurised 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,” the statement added.
The command said the incident had been professionally classified as a mechanical explosion.