Worshippers Escape Death in Owerri As police Uncover Deadly Explosives in Church

The Police in Imo state have arrested six suspects over the discovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices in a church in Owerri, the state capital, the Commissioner  of Police, Abdumajid Ali,  and spokesperson for the command, Andrew Enwerem, have said.

Mr. Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, told PREMIUM TIMES the police was alerted to strange objects at the entrance of the Port Harcourt Road branch of Winners Chapel around midnight on Saturday.

He said bomb experts were promptly drafted to the church to sweep the area.

“During their check, it was discovered that Improvised Explosive Devices in forms of refrigerator compressor concealed in sack bags were discovered,” Mr. Enwerem said. “One was promptly detonated at the scene because it was on a timer. The other one was dis-alarmed and then taken away for detonation.”

The police spokesperson said those arrested have not been directly linked to planting the deadly explosives.

“They were arrested because we believe we might be able to obtain information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators from them,” Mr. Enwerem said. “Investigations are ongoing.”

The police believe the explosives were planted on Saturday night and timed to explode after worshippers had gathered for worship on Sunday.

The state police commissioner, Mr. Ali had while briefing journalists at the church premises said the command would do everything possible to unravel the perpetrators of the act.

He urged the people to go about their normal activities as the two IEDs have been detonated.

Also speaking, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Brig.-Gen. Lanre Bello, confirmed that the explosives were capable of killing many people at a time.

Worshippers at the church were full of thanks to God for sparing their lives.

A worshipper, Onumara Onyekachi, told PREMIUM TIMES, “I was about getting ready for the second service when a friend posted this “Breaking News!!!!!! Police Anti Bomb squad has just detonated two bomb explosives planted at Winner Chapel PH road Owerri”.

“I made a few calls and confirmed that it was true.”