There was palpable tension and uneasy calm in several churches in Imo State at the weekend following yet another discovery in one of the catholic churches in Owerri, the state capital which happened last week frightened residents of the state and worshippers at the Pastoral Centre. St Mulumba, a Catholic formation on Whetheral Road, Owerri.
According to our reporter, who was at the church premises, the discovery was made when one of the private security guards was on his way home after closing from duty. The security guard who works in nearby St Mulumba Church on his way stopped at the Pastoral Centre side of the road to answer nature’s call when he spotted a basket-like women metal item. The sight of the item raised concern when he raised alarm. His discovery raised consciousness on the party of passersby and onlookers before security agences were contacted.
Trumpeta learnt that police anti-bomb squad and security agencies cordoned off the area and disposed the suspected bomb.
When contacted for confirmation police public relations officer, Andrew Enwere said that the Imo state Police Command received a tip off about the development and quickly dispatched its men to St Mulumba/Pastoral Centre area for anti bomb purposes.
According to the PPRO, “the anti bomb unit removed an item within that area but I cannot confirm to you that it is a bomb or explosive because the unit concerned has not come out with their report yet. Yes, we got a distress call and our men were drafted to the place. I can’t confirm it is a Boko Haram bomb since there is a special unit that handles such matter”
The discovery sent shivers down the spines of worshippers inside the premises as well as other churches in the state. The latest after Winners Church bomb saga has intensified security checks on people attending church services in the state. Apart from checks on cars, worshipers are thoroughly scanned and checked with anti-bomb devices before gaining entrance into the church.
It would be recalled that a few months ago bombs were discovered at Winners’ Church premises, Owerri, which led to some arrests and other inflammable comments on registering non indigenes in the state.
