■ Worshippers scamper as police evacuate strange explosives in Owerri
■ Goods from North now to be scrutinised – Okorocha

What could have re­sulted in a mass death was yesterday averted in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, as the Anti-Bomb Squad of the Imo State Police Command successfully removed two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted in the main auditorium and car park of the Liv­ing Faith Church (Win­ners’ Chapel), by persons suspected to be members of Boko Haram.

The discovery of the bombs at the premises of the church prompted men of the Police Bomb Disposal Unit to cordon off the entire street, while the church was sealed off. Members of the church were advised to relo­cate to a safer place for their Sunday service.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. An­drew Enwerem (DSP), who confirmed the incident, re­vealed that the IEDs were discovered by the police following a tip-off by the security men attached to the church. The security men were said to have suspect­ed that the two black bags planted in both the church auditorium and at the car park late Saturday night could be something harm­ful.

According to the police spokesman, the explosives were already timed and could have detonated dur­ing the Sunday service if not for the quick response of the police.

“The Bomb Disposal Unit has removed the IEDs and detonated them and has equally swept the church and the premises to ensure that no more bombs are still in the church. It could have been a major disaster if not for the prompt arrival of the police, because the bombs were already on a timer and they could have gone off during the church service, if not for the quick response of the police. So we thank God that it was discovered on time,” Enwerem said.

The police image-maker revealed that six persons had been arrested in connec­tion with the incident. He, however, refused to reveal the identity of the suspects, but said they were assisting the police in their investiga­tion to unravel those behind the aborted bomb attack on the church.

When Daily Sun visited the church located along Winners’ Avenue, off Port Harcourt Road, it was ob­served that although the church had been reopened, the gates were still manned by armed policemen, who used bomb detectors to scan the worshippers before they were allowed into the prem­ises.

Efforts to speak with the Senior Pastor of the church, Ayodele Moses, failed as security men denied jour­nalists access to him.


Source: Sun