Confusion over discovery of ‘explosives’ in Lagos

Residents and traders along the ever-busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Street at Idumota on Lagos Island were thrown into panic on Thursday following the discovery of three strange objects suspected to be explosives.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the objects, which resembled fireworks, but bigger, were reportedly detected in the area at around 8am by some  residents.

The objects were placed at the junction close to a branch of Access Bank in the area.

The area was a few metres away from the Central Mosque where traders, top government officials and dignitaries conduct their daily prayers.

NAN reports that the objects were discovered late because traders in Lagos normally observed the weekly environmental sanitation day on Thursday.

One of the traders told NAN that on hearing the news, traders hurriedly closed their shops and ran to the scene.

“On getting there, we discovered that the anti bomb unit of the Police had already cordoned off the place to remove the objects.

“Residents raised the alarm which threw the area into instant pandemonium,’’ the eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said.

NAN reports that economic activities were brought to a standstill  for hours as traders, bankers and passersby scampered to safety.

Banks’ gates were immediately shut by security operatives to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the situation.

The operatives of the anti-bomb squad  packed the objects into  a vehicle with number plate LSR 276 BP and left around 10.55am with the Divisional Police Officer, Ebute-Ero, John Otahunmele.

The spokesperson for Lagos Police Command, Ngozi Braide, said she was unaware of the incident.

Braide, however, assured NAN that she would confirm the incident from the appropriate authorities  in the area