Lagos Explosion: One confirmed dead, four in critical condition

Four individuals injured in Friday’s explosion near Computer Village in the Ikeja area of Lagos State remain in critical condition, while one victim has been confirmed dead.

The blast occurred at a shop dealing in Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) equipment on Kodesho Street, close to the bustling tech hub in Ikeja. The explosion, which happened around 6:35 p.m., left five people seriously injured.

A local dealer, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, confirmed the death of one of the victims.
“We lost one of them on Saturday evening. The doctors made efforts to save him, but he didn’t make it,” he said.

Describing the condition of the remaining victims, the dealer added, “The victims were closely affected by the explosion, and this resulted in severe burns they suffered. As I speak to you, the four others are currently battling for their lives.”

The Lagos State Police Command had earlier confirmed the incident and the number of injured persons. Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that all five victims were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

When contacted for an update, Hundeyin said, “Yes, we have been informed that one of them died on Saturday.”

Regarding the ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion, he added, “The investigation is still on. We will make it public as soon as it is concluded.”

The explosion has sparked fresh concerns about safety in the area, particularly following a similar tragic event just a week earlier.

On Thursday, a military-grade grenade detonated in the Idi-Araba area of Mushin, killing a welder and injuring three others. Reports indicate that the explosion occurred after scavengers brought the device to a metal scrap yard, where the welder was attempting to dismantle it.

The impact of that explosion left several homes damaged and forced some residents to evacuate, heightening fears over the handling of explosive materials in residential areas.