The police, yesterday, averted what could have amounted to the worst disaster in the southern part of the country by terrorists, as it defused three improvised explosive devices, IEDs, carefully planted in the Living Faith Church, (Winners Chapel), Owerri that accommodates more than 10,000 worshippers.
Addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the area, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, confirmed that six persons have been arrested in connection with the planned bomb attack
The CP explained that soon after getting information about the strange objects, the anti-bomb unit of the Command was immediately despatched to the scene.
According to Ali, “the police have disabled the devices, while serious investigations have commenced to uncover those behind the plot”.
He appealed to residents of the state not to panic but to be more security conscious, especially as the foiled attempt ought to be an eye opener to all.
“We are worried about the development but people should be vigilant. People should be very curious about anything they see within their surroundings. People should however not pick up anything. They should contact the security agencies any time they see strange objects”, the CP cautioned.
The police boss pleaded with the citizenry to be conscious of what is happening in their surroundings, adding that people must learn to see any strange fellow with suspicious movement as a suspect.
It would have been huge disaster — Okorocha
Governor Rochas Okorocha, in his reaction said the improvised explosive devices planted in the church, would have been a huge disaster if they had exploded as planned by the criminals.
Okorocha, who stated this, while speaking to journalists, yesterday, in Government House, Owerri, equally disclosed that the bombs had the capacity of covering about 500 metres range.
“It is true that bombs were planted in Winners Chapel, today (yesterday). These bombs had the capacity to cover about 500 metres range and would have been a huge disaster if they had exploded as planned by the insurgents”, Okorocha said.
What was also worrisome to the Governor was that the church is located in a densely populated area of the municipality. He thanked God for saving the lives of innocent citizens.
Answering a question, Okorocha affirmed that some suspects have already been arrested in connection with the crime and commended the security agencies for being alive to their duties.
While assuring the citizenry that “the state has applied necessary measures to stop further occurrence of the ugly situation”, the Governor added that there would be an emergency security meeting at the
International Convention Centre, Owerri, where further security briefing would be made available to Imolites.
“The situation is under control. Imo State is not known for such ugly incidence. I, therefore, appeal to all Imolites and other Nigerians resident in the state, to be more security conscious and alert the police about any suspected objects, vehicles or persons around their vicinity”, Okorocha pleaded.
