Abia Police Reaffirm Position on Alleged Bomb Recovery in Aba

Abia Police Reaffirm Position on Alleged Bomb Recovery in Aba

The Abia State Police Command has reiterated its position on the alleged recovery of a bomb in Aba, dismissing claims circulating online that its earlier statement on the incident was false.

In a rejoinder issued by the Command, the police said it was aware of a statement credited to an Associate Pastor of the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, alleging that the police misrepresented facts surrounding the reported incident. The Command, however, maintained that its initial account remains accurate.

The police noted that the Associate Pastor is neither a trained bomb expert nor a specialist in explosive detection and, therefore, not qualified to determine or educate the public on what constitutes a bomb or explosive device.

According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogbor Hill Division, acting proactively on actionable intelligence, visited the Ehere/Umuola area of Ogbor Hill. On arrival, the DPO met a man identified as Mr. Ezumini, who introduced himself as a member of the United Evangelical Church.

Mr. Ezumini reportedly explained that an iron rod earlier removed by military personnel was part of the church’s pillars, which had been dismantled in compliance with a directive to shift the structure backward to allow access for ongoing government road construction.

The DPO subsequently conducted a thorough search of the area, during which no bomb or explosive device was found. Moments later, the Area Commander, accompanied by personnel of the Explosive Ordnance Department (EOD), arrived at the scene and also inspected the vicinity, with no explosive materials discovered. The Command further stated that it has not been formally informed of any alleged recovery of a bomb.

In addition, officers of the Explosive Ordnance Department of the Abia State Police Command were immediately deployed to comb the area as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of lives and property.

The police encouraged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring the public that the Nigeria Police Force is present at the grassroots level.

Members of the public were advised to promptly report any suspicious activities or incidents to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency hotlines: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, and 08079210006.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property, stressing that the police remain accessible and open to collaboration with members of the public on security matters.