Explosion in Lagos: Chinese Held For Questioning By Police
By PHC Telegraph
A Chinese national, identified as Joe Gu, is currently helping the Police with its ongoing investigation into circumstances that could have led to an explosion at a CCTV shop on Kodesho Street in Ikeja, Lagos in April.
Although there were no casualties as a result of the detonation of the improvised explosive device (iED), the incident created considerable fear among Lagosians resident and doing business around the Ikeja business district.
Gu was whisked away from his residence at the Banana Island, a high brow settlement, at the weekend by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.
The Chinese is being held at the SCID headquarters, Yaba, in connection with the explosion.
Raid By The Police
Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, reportedly arrested the suspect around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25.
He was picked up at his residence, No. A11, Bila Vista, Banana Island, Ikoyi, according to Politics Nigeria, a publication that operates online.
The shop owner, the newspaper reports, had raised strong suspicion indicating that the Chinese with whom he shared close ties before a disagreement could be the mastermind behind the explosion.
This prompted the police which is investigating the cause of the explosion to bring Gu in for questioning.
Previous Business Dispute
Providing further background information, Politics Nigeria further reported that preliminary findings have revealed that the suspect and the complainant had a prior business relationship that turned sour more than a decade ago.
“The suspect had a previous business relationship with the complainant, which collapsed in 2013 after a disagreement,” a source familiar with the investigation disclosed.
“During their fallout, the suspect allegedly threatened to disrupt the complainant’s business operations”, Politics Nigeria further reported
What The Police Is Doing
Forensic experts have been gathering evidence from the explosion site, police sources have confirmed.
Similarly, statements are being obtained from witnesses and associates of both parties as the Police digs deeper, Politics Nigeria has confirmed.
Many in the country who thought the explosion might have been triggered by insurgents are waiting to see what the outcome of the police investigation would be.
