An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered at the fence of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday.

The object was found on the eve of a planned nationwide protest against the hardships faced by citizens.

The ten-day protest is set to commence on August 1 and conclude on August 10, 2024, according to the organizers.

It was gathered that the IED was allegedly dropped by an unidentified individual who drove to the location in a car and sped away immediately after the act.

It was also reported that the suspect was first seen by a police officer attached to the Explosive Ordinance Depot (EOD) base in Ikeja.

A police source stated that the officer observed a man in an unregistered Toyota Corolla parked near the entrance of the PMF 23 barracks along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Fayoade, who spoke through the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that the officer who spotted the suspect is part of the Police Explosives Ordinance Depot (EOD) base in Ikeja.

The Lagos State Police chief noted that the suspect parked his unregistered Toyota Corolla on the main road, close to the entrance of PMF 23 barracks.

“The officer saw a young man exit the car and carefully place a bag by the side of the FOU Zone A fence. The young man then returned to his car and drove off.

“Based on the report, a team of EOD-CBRN experts from the base was quickly mobilized to the scene to identify the object.

“Upon arrival, it was confirmed that the item was indeed an IED. Subsequently, the area was cordoned off, the IED was rendered safe, and it was detonated accordingly. Meanwhile, the remnants of the IED were collected for further analysis and investigation,” he added.