A Chinese national, identified as Joe Gu, has been taken police custody in connection with last week’s improvised explosive device (IED) explosion that rocked a CCTV equipment shop on Kodesho Street, Ikeja.
The long-dormant rivalry between a businessman and his former Chinese partner appears to be at the heart of the recent explosion.
Detectives from the State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, acted on that suspicion, arresting the Chinese national at his residence—No. A11, Bila Vista, Banana Island, Ikoyi—on Saturday, October 25, at 1:00 p.m.
A top security source confirmed that the arrest followed a discreet investigation directly linking the suspect to the incident.
Police sources revealed that the complainant had long suspected the former partner, pointing to a bitter business fallout in 2013.
At that time, the Chinese national had allegedly threatened to sabotage the complainant’s operations, providing what investigators now believe may be a clear motive.
“Their business relationship ended on a sour note over a decade ago. Since then, there had been lingering hostility between them. The explosion incident reopened that suspicion,” another source said.
While police have not officially confirmed the details of the arrest, multiple command sources indicate that investigators are exploring both commercial rivalry and personal vendetta as potential motives for the alleged crime.
The suspect is currently being interrogated at the SCID, Yaba.
Meanwhile, forensic experts are analyzing materials recovered from the scene to determine the type and source of the explosive device.
Although no fatalities were recorded, the explosion reportedly shook nearby shops and caused millions of naira in property damage.
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