Lagos— One person has died and four others are battling for their lives following a devastating explosion that rocked a CCTV equipment store on Kodesho Street, near the bustling Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday evening.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the explosion, which occurred around 6:35 p.m., left five individuals critically injured. They were promptly rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for emergency treatment.
Tragically, one of the victims succumbed to his injuries on Saturday evening, according to a local dealer familiar with the incident who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We lost one of them on Saturday evening. The doctors made efforts to save him, but he didn’t make it,” the source said. “The victims were closely affected by the explosion, and this resulted in severe burns. As I speak to you, the four others are currently battling for their lives.”
Confirming the fatality, Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “Yes, we have been informed that one of them died on Saturday.” He added that the investigation into the cause of the explosion remains ongoing. “We will make it public as soon as it is concluded,” he said.
The exact cause of the blast has not yet been officially disclosed. The incident triggered panic among traders and residents in the high-traffic commercial district, which is known as Lagos’ premier electronics market.
Series of Explosions Raise Alarm
Friday’s incident follows closely on the heels of another deadly explosion in Lagos. Just last week, a military-grade grenade detonated in Idi-Araba, Mushin, killing a welder and injuring three others. According to local reports, scavengers had brought the device to a scrap yard, where they engaged the welder to dismantle it. The grenade exploded during the process, causing widespread alarm and displacing nearby residents.
These back-to-back explosions have raised fresh concerns over the handling of hazardous materials and the vulnerability of public spaces in densely populated areas of Lagos.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious materials or activities to security agencies. Meanwhile, traders and business owners in Ikeja are calling for tighter safety measures, including routine inspections and awareness campaigns, to prevent future tragedies.