The Abia State Police Command has denied reports that a bomb or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered at the United Evangelical Church in Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
Gatekeepers News reports that the command described the reports as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, said thorough investigations carried out through the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area found no trace of any explosive device.
“I can authoritatively confirm that no bomb or explosive was recovered from the said area.
Investigations conducted by the Command have clearly affirmed this,” Chinaka said.
She explained that the incident was linked to an ongoing road reconstruction project by the Abia State Government.
According to her, the church structure had encroached on the road corridor and was directed to adjust its building to create space for the project. When the directive was not complied with, the military stepped in to enforce compliance.
During the exercise, Chinaka said an iron rod, which formed part of a pillar of the church structure, was removed by the military.
The police stressed that the object was not a bomb or any form of explosive, adding that no explosive device was recovered anywhere in Aba.
The command also reassured residents of its commitment to safety.
It said, as the lead internal security agency, it remains vigilant in protecting lives and property, noting that officers are active, alert and strategically deployed across the state.
The clarification followed widespread reports on Monday alleging a bomb scare at the church, with claims that over 100 deaths were averted after a suspected explosive was discovered and evacuated by the military.
According to the reports, church members were digging around the fence near the parsonage when they uncovered a large metal object, which was allegedly taken to a nearby borehole before the priest raised an alarm, suspecting it to be a bomb.
The police, however, said those claims are untrue.
