The Nigerian police on Wednesday night discovered and
defused two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted at a popular
eatery located around the Ikenegbu area of Owerri, Nigerian eye reports.
Nigeria Telegraph reports that the bomb squad of the Imo state
police command on getting the news, arrived the scene and after several
hours of probing, confirmed there was an improvised explosive device
capable of causing serious damage to lives and property in the area.
The explosives were hidden in air condition units at the lobby and
the kitchen close to gigantic gas cylinders in Kilimanjaro fast food.
Commissioner of Police Abdulmajid Ali told journalists at the scene: “We
received a call about 21.30 hours that bombs were uncovered at
Kilmanjaro Fast Food. Men of the Bomb Disposal Unit moved in, discovered
the explosives and defused them.”
The commissioner dismissed rumours making the rounds in the city that
the explosives were planted by terrorists. He said the manager of the
eatery, who alerted the police, was called by unknown persons, demanding
millions of naira, saying they had planted explosives on the premises
and would detonate them if he did not meet their demand.
He said: “It was not a terrorists’ attack because Boko Haram insurgents will not demand money. We are investigating the incident.”
Ali therefore urged residents to be calm, assuring them of adequate
security by the police would especially during the Yuletide.
He enjoined the residents of the state to be security conscious and
offer information to the police that would assist in fighting crime. It will be recalled that about five months ago, the Imo police command averted an explosion in Winners Chapel, Owerri branch after which the police advised members of the public not to link the bomb to terrorist group, Boko Haram.