Tragedy was averted in Owerri, Imo State Wednesday, December 10, 2014 as police successfully defused two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at a popular eatery (name withheld) in the commercial area of Ikenegbu of the state capital city.
According to news reports, the police received a distress call from the manager of the eatery around 9.30pm and a bomb squad was immediately drafted to the scene. The team successfully defused the bombs before they could detonate.
The explosive devises were concealed and placed in “strategic places” within the lobby of the restaurant close to the airconditioner.
Imo State’s commissioner of police, Abdulmajid Ali confirmed the incident to newsmen. “I want to thank the Imolites (Imo state citizens) for giving us this information on time because if not it could have caused a lot of damage. Only God knows how many lives would have been lost, the same thing with property,” he said.
Ali appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and provide information to the police in a timely fashion when they discover anything suspicious. He also assured the people of the state that the police would ensure proper protection of lives and property, especially during the festive period, as all measures have been put in place to combat any form of crime in the state.
No arrests have been made, but investigations are ongoing.
It was the second time that a bomb would be defused in Owerri in 2014.
