Bomb scare in Delta State Cabinet Office

There was confusion yesterday at the premises of the Cabinet Office Complex, an extension of the Governor’s Office in Asaba, the Delta State capital when an object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was discovered.

The complex houses the office of the state Head of Service and the Directorate of Cabinet and Administration. It is located a few metres away from the state Governor’s Lodge on Government House Road, Asaba.

Besides, an empty plot of land separates the complex from the headquarters of the Delta State Police Command on Okpanam Road. The discovery of the suspected IED coincided with the visit of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 5, Alhaji Hashim Argungun to the state. The strange object was covered in a brown carton with pieces of red clothing.

A tickling clock and a pointed object which looked more like a rocket launcher were some of the components.  A street sweeper who gave her name as Caroline Iseh discovered the object at about 6:00a.m at the entrance gate of the complex. “I see the carton for dis place and I think say na sacrifice, but as I come see the clock dey tick, na in I remember Boko Haram people dey take make bomb.

I come go call the security man and im come call police. I run comot make the thing no go explode before police come,” Iseh narrated in pidgin english. Following the discovery, the area was condoned-off by the police, restricting movement into the complex, just as they removed the substance for analysis.

As at the time Daily Sun visited the scene, apprehension was palpable, as workers gathered in clusters, discussing the issue. Security operatives who mounted the gate of the complex prevented them from gaining access to the complex. Members of the Bomb Disposal Unit attached to the Delta State Police Command were sighted combing the entire complex for possible hidden explosives. But none was discovered, according to the police.

However, at about 11:00a.m workers refused to enter the complex, even after the police had given assurance that there was no hidden explosive in the area. The state Head of Service, Okey Ofili was said to be on leave. Kidnappers had shot him in the leg about two months ago as policemen foiled an attempt to whisk him away from Asaba.

PAUL OSUYI, Asaba