Pandemonium reigned supreme in Aba, Abia State following the discovery of a suspected bomb at the River Layout area of the city.
247ureports.com gathered that confusion grew in the area when an unnamed resident found an object lying under a car parked in front of The Royal Rock Church at No. 1 Rivers Layout by East Street.
The residents raised alarm which attracted the presence of Police Anti-Bomb unit who stormed the area.
According to a resident of the area who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the police Anti-Bomb Unit cordoned off the area and ordered residents within the area to vacate their houses while they went round to inspect the object.
“It was around noon, a neighbour spotted an object which looks like a bomb and raised an alarm. There was confusion everywhere; people were running helter skelter. Somebdo later invited the police who came and cordoned off the area. Movements in and out where restricted. They asked the residents to leave their houses. Some policemen went to the spot where the object while others kept watch until they finally picked the thing out.”
Another resident of the area who gave his name as Junior told 247ureports.com that before the police arrived, the residents suspected that a bomb may have been planted by the mai guards who also live in the area.
“You know that our area is guarded by Hausa Fulani guard men, some of them from Niger. Such alarm could not be ruled out after the incident of last week arrest of 486 Boko Haram people by the Army.”
When our correspondent visited the area, many residents were gathered in groups discussing the incident while members of the Royal Rock church continued with their worship.
Contacted on phone, Abia State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the object wasn’t bomb as speculated.
He charged residents of the Aba to remain vigilant and report suspected persons or objects in their neighbourhood to the police.
247ureports.com further gathered that tension is currently building in Aba and environs as residents believe that the two buses which escaped out of the 486 suspected insurgents arrested by the Army could invade the area to wreck havoc.
