Abia Police deny bomb recovery near Church in Aba

The Abia State Police Command has debunked reports claiming a bomb or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was recovered at the United Evangelical Church, located in Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, stated on Tuesday that a thorough investigation conducted by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering the area found no evidence 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.

The alleged bomb scare was linked to a road reconstruction project by the Abia State Government. The church, which encroached on the road corridor, was instructed to adjust its structure to allow the project to proceed. When the directive was not followed, the military intervened to enforce compliance.

During the process, an iron rod, part of a church pillar being removed, was mistakenly thought to be a dangerous object. The police clarified that the object was not explosive and no bomb was recovered anywhere in Aba.

The Command reassured residents that it remains vigilant in safeguarding lives and property, with officers actively deployed across the state.

Earlier reports had claimed that over 100 deaths were averted after a supposed bomb was found and evacuated by the military. According to these reports, members of the church were digging around the fence near the parsonage when they uncovered a large metal object, which one of them reportedly moved to a nearby borehole before the priest raised the alarm.