Teenager Launches Locally Made Rocket In Imo

The Imo State Police Command has called on residents of Umuchime Ubahu community in Okigwe local government area to remain calm and resume their normal business as the command’s anti bomb squad has deactivated a propelled rocket.

The command added that the element has been certified and it does not contain any toxic or radio-active material.

The community was thrown into pandemonium few days ago when 17 year old Gideon Emenike, a secondary school graduate designed and launched a propelled rocket meant for space but accidentally travelled about 5 kilometers and landed in a compound with heavy explosion causing residents of the area to scamper for safety.

While on inspection to the compound where the rocket landed, the state Police Commissioner Mohammed Katsina said on getting the information of the incident, the command anti bomb squad swung into action to detect the location.

He exonerated the boy of any criminal or terrorist intentions. He further praised the boy’s skill insisting it was a prowess in science and technology.

He however said preliminary investigations showed that even as the teenagers were reckless in their conduct, they had neither criminal motive nor terrorist intentions, rather they are adventurous and skilful teenagers who are gifted in science and technology.

The police anti bomb squad deactivated the element which they said does not contain any toxic or radioactive substance before forcefully pulling out the element from the ground and kept it in their custody.

17 year old Gideon Emenike told journalists that he does not have any criminal intentions but his love for science and technology especially in the area of aeronautics engineering spurred him and his partner to develop the said rocket having represented his school in various science exhibitions and won various awards but could not continue with their education due to lack of financial support.

Meanwhile, as the Eid el Kabir period approaches, the state police command has implored members of the public not to hesitate to report any suspicious movement of persons or criminal assembly to the police accordingly so as to ensure that the state remains peaceful during the festive period.

Source: Channels TV

Publish Date: 

Friday, 11 October 2013