By Eseoghene Emuke
Barely few hours to the 2019 general elections, the Delta State Police Command has uncovered substances suspected to be improvised explosive device (bomb) along the Ughelli/Patani road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Adeyinka Adeleke, who disclosed on Friday called on Deltans to remain calm and vote peacefully in Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.
Adeleke said the bomb was discovered by men of the Anti Robbery Squad led by its Commander, SP Masoyi Dadi on Thursday night.
The command in a statement signed by its Acting Spokesman, Chuks Oresewezie, noted that IED was intercepted in an unregistered white Toyota Hilux Van which refused to stop.
The police commissioner who assuaged the fears of Deltans, stated that there was no cause to be apprehensive over the matter as the command had launched investigation into it.
According to it, “On 21/2/2019 at about 1945hrs, the team while on stop and search duty along Ughelli –Patani road intercepted a white Toyota Hilux Van unregistered, which refused to stop.
“The team gave the vehicle a hot chase, the two (2) occupants abruptly stopped and escaped into a nearby bush. Upon thorough search of the vehicle, 128 pieces of 60mm.156 kg emulsion chemical substances and 5 pieces of electric detonators all concealed in several black bagco bags along with Hilux van were recovered.
“The Items which are suspected to be explosive components have been handed over to Bomb Disposal Unit who have since confirmed them as such.”
The Commissioner of Police admonished members of the public to be vigilant and security conscious, report any strange objects to the police or any security agency nearest to them.
“He further warned that anybody in any guise that has an intention to cause mayhem or disrupt the election by any means will be seriously dealt with.
“Meanwhile Delta State Command is reassuring Deltans that there is no cause for alarm in this general election and will continue to ensure the public of its safety and security during and after the exercise and at all times”, the statement added.
