The Abia State Police Command has refuted reports claiming that an object suspected to be an explosive device was discovered within the premises of a church in Aba, Abia State.
The command described the report as false, insisting that no bomb or explosive was recovered at the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, located at Ogbor Hill, Aba.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said investigations carried out by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area confirmed that the object discovered was merely an iron rod forming part of a fence pillar.
According to the police, the church premises had encroached on a road currently undergoing reconstruction by the state government, and the structure was being adjusted to comply with the directive to create space for the project.
She explained that during the adjustment process, the military intervened to ensure compliance, and an iron rod attached to the fence pillar was removed, contrary to reports suggesting it was an explosive device.
“I can authoritatively confirm that no bomb or explosive was recovered from the area.
Thorough investigations by the Divisional Police Officer affirmed that what was found was an iron rod from a fence pillar,” the statement read.
However, church officials gave a different account of the incident.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the Board of the Ehere/Umuola Church, Elder Ariomnwa Amadi, said the object was discovered while members were digging to erect a new fence following road expansion work on Okiriko Lane by the state government.
Amadi said the church alerted soldiers from a nearby military formation, who evacuated the object, prompting fears that it might have been an explosive device.
He added that the church later organised a thanksgiving service on Sunday, expressing gratitude that no one was harmed.
According to him, the soldiers advised the congregation to thank God for their safety, noting that the object could have caused serious damage if it had detonated.
While the police maintained that no explosive was involved, the command assured residents that security agencies remained vigilant and fully deployed across the state to safeguard lives and property.
“The police, as the lead internal security agency, remain proactive and committed to ensuring the safety of residents across Abia State,” the statement added.