The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Chinese national following an explosion caused
by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a CCTV equipment shop located in Ikeja, Lagos.
According to reports, the explosion occurred on Friday evening, sending panic across the area as thick smoke
billowed from the building housing the CCTV store. Residents and business owners in the vicinity scampered for
safety as security operatives and emergency response teams rushed to the scene.
Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident, stated that
preliminary investigations revealed that the blast originated from an IED device allegedly in the possession of the Chinese suspect.
Hundeyin noted that the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was immediately apprehended by police
operatives at the scene and taken into custody for interrogation. He further explained that the Anti-Bomb Unit of the
Command has since cordoned off the area and commenced a detailed
investigation to determine the motive behind the possession of the explosive material.
“Yes, the suspect is a Chinese national. He is currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing. The scene has
been secured, and our Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is
conducting a thorough sweep to ensure public safety,” Hundeyin stated.
Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted that the explosion was so loud that it shook nearby buildings, shattering windows
and causing panic along the busy Ikeja axis. One of the traders, identified as Mrs. Funke Adewale, said the blast
occurred shortly after the foreign national was seen handling a suspicious item inside the shop.
“We saw him working on some equipment, and suddenly, there was a loud bang. Everyone started running. It
was later that we realized it was an explosion,” she said.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) also responded promptly to the incident. Officials from
the agency worked alongside the police to contain the situation and assess the extent of the damage. Fortunately, no
lives were lost, but several items in the CCTV store were destroyed.
The authorities have assured residents of Ikeja and its environs that there is no cause for alarm, emphasizing that
security has been strengthened in the area to prevent any recurrence.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has directed that the investigation be transferred to the
Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further probe. He also commended the quick response of
the EOD unit and emergency agencies for their swift action in containing the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, the suspect remains in police custody, and more details are expected to emerge as investigations progress.
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