Abia Police Refutes Pastor’s Claim of Explosives in Church

Abia Police Refutes Pastor’s Claim of Explosives in Church

Abia Police Command Rejects Pastor’s Claim of Explosives at United Evangelical Church

Abia State — The Abia State Police Command has dismissed claims by the Associate Pastor of United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, alleging that the police lied about a reported recovery of an explosive device at the church premises.

In a statement released late Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa, through Police Public Relations Officer Maureen Chinaka, reaffirmed that no bomb or explosive device was recovered during inspections at the church. The police insisted that the pastor’s claims were unfounded, noting that he is neither trained nor qualified in bomb detection.

The controversy arose after the church’s associate pastor, Eleazar Onyenweaku, challenged a police clarification issued on Tuesday, which stated that no explosives were found on the church premises. Onyenweaku claimed that workers uncovered a dangerous metallic object buried less than a foot deep while digging for a new perimeter fence in compliance with a government directive for a road expansion project.

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According to the pastor, he initially mistook the object for scrap metal but later identified it as an explosive device due to its safety ring and relatively new appearance. Onyenweaku said he contacted the Ndoki Primary School military base, where an Army team led by a captain allegedly confirmed the device, evacuated it in a Hilux vehicle, and warned of possible additional explosives nearby. He called on Governor Alex Otti to order a full security scan of the premises to protect congregants and residents.

Two church officials, Elder Andy Amadi and Deacon Obioma Adiele, supported the pastor’s account and noted that operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) also visited the site for preliminary inquiries.

Countering these claims, the Abia State Police Command said the object removed by the military was an iron rod, part of the church’s pillars, and unrelated to any explosives. Commissioner Isa explained that the Divisional Police Officer of Ogbor Hill Division, acting on intelligence, visited the site and confirmed with a church member, Mr. Ezumini, that the object was structural, removed for the road setback project.

Isa added that the Area Commander, accompanied by officers from the Explosive Ordnance Department, later inspected the area and found no explosives. He stressed that the police had not been formally informed of any alleged recovery and had deployed personnel to secure the site to guarantee public safety.

The commissioner reaffirmed the police commitment to their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property. He urged residents to go about their lawful activities while encouraging collaboration with security agencies to maintain safety in the community.

Abia Police Refutes Pastor’s Claim of Explosives in Church