Mushin Blast Not Terror Attack, Police Declare After Forensic Probe

Segun Atanda/

The Lagos State Police Command today dismissed fears of terrorism or sabotage in connection with the explosion that rocked the Mushin area of Lagos on June 22, saying a detailed forensic investigation had established that the incident was caused by a mechanical failure and not an explosive device.

Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, where he announced the outcome of an extensive investigation conducted by experts of the Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit.

The explosion occurred at No. 19 Way Street, Mushin, and initially raised concerns that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) might have been involved.

According to CP Fatai, security agencies immediately treated the incident as a suspected explosive occurrence in line with established security protocols and international best practices, pending a comprehensive technical assessment.

He explained that EOD-CBRN specialists carried out a detailed examination of the scene, including forensic analysis of the affected vehicle, evaluation of recovered fragments, assessment of damage patterns, collection of physical evidence and interviews with relevant witnesses.

The investigation, he said, conclusively ruled out terrorism, insurgency, sabotage and any criminal use of explosives.

“I am 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 (IED), terrorist activity, sabotage, or any form of criminal use of explosives,” the police commissioner said.

CP Fatai said investigators found no traces of explosive materials, detonators, initiation systems, explosive residues or any blast characteristics typically associated with explosive attacks.
He added that the affected vehicle also showed none of the structural deformation, fragmentation patterns, crater effects or displacement usually seen in incidents involving explosives.
Rather, the investigation established that the incident resulted from the catastrophic failure of a pressurised mechanical component located outside the vehicle.

According to the police, the failure triggered a sudden release of energy that shattered the vehicle’s front passenger-side glass panels and caused minor injuries to the occupant.

“Based on these findings, the incident has been professionally classified as a Mechanical Explosion,” Tijani said, adding that the case had officially been reclassified from a suspected IED incident to a mechanical explosion.

The police commissioner reassured residents that there was no evidence linking the incident to any threat to public safety or national security.

“There is absolutely no evidence connecting this incident to terrorism, insurgency, sabotage or any other security threat. There is no cause for alarm,” he said.

CP Fatai commended members of the public who promptly alerted security and emergency services, enabling a swift response, and praised emergency responders and technical experts whose professionalism ensured a thorough and scientific investigation.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue reporting suspicious activities through established security channels, assuring that all reported explosion-related incidents would continue to receive the highest level of professional scrutiny before conclusions are drawn.

The police chief reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to transparency, professionalism and factual reporting in the discharge of its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.