Fears As ‘Explosive’ Is Discovered In Delta

There was apprehension around the Asaba end of the River Niger Bridge on Friday following the discovery of a strange object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) otherwise known as bomb.

The suspected explosive device was found by excavators who were digging a foundation for the perimeter fencing of the ‘C’ Divisional Police Station of the Delta State Police Command.

The discovery of the suspicious object threw the workers and the entire neighborhood into confusion, as some persons scampered for safety for fear of the unknown.

BigPen Online, in a report sourced from Daily Sun, learnt that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the state, CSP Anietie Eyoh was not willing to speak on the discovery when approached, noting that the safety of his men, workers and Nigerian citizens was of paramount interest to him.

Confirming the discovery, however, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi told Daily Sun correspondent on phone that men of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the command have already evacuated the suspicious object for analysis.

Mr. Ogbizi allayed the fears of residents, saying that the result of analysis showed that the object was no longer active, and as such, impotent.

“The bomb was discovered by the people digging the foundation, and our men from the bomb disposal unit evacuated it for analysis. But we discovered that the object is no longer active. It is therefore impotent and no threat to lives or property.

“So, we are just going to destroy it. I appeal to be people in the area to remain calm. Also, motorists plying the River Niger Bridge should have no cause for alarm as our men at alert to detect any attempt to destroy the bridge,” Ogbizi said.

The newspaper report that the suspicious object is unused explosive device that was probably buried during the Nigeria Civil War between 1967 and 1970 when Asaba was a battle field.

Eyoh has been trying to transform the ‘C’ divisional police station located close to the River Niger Bridge by constructing a new perimeter fencing and upgrading the infrastructure like he did at “B” Division in Warri where he was transferred from. 

Story by Paul Osuyi, Daily Sun with additional report from Obus Erarawewho