Civil war abandoned explosives recovered in Imo

THE Imo State Police Command has recovered and detonated varying sizes of bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and allied materials abandoned in the state during the 30-month civil war, which lasted between 1967 and 1970.

Speaking after displaying the weapons, yesterday, state Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Mohammed Katsina said in the course of their sweeping operation, five local council areas have so far been cleared of any debris that pose danger to people.

Katsina said some other explosive materials were recovered from hoodlums, who normally engage them as subduing devices before they commence operation.

The CP said: “Some of the recovered bombs, IEDs and allied materials include old war time ammunition from the old military trench at Okigwe Local Government Area, five primed IEDs recovered from the scene of a robbery at one of the new generation banks in Ezinihitte Mbaise.”

Similarly, 10 old war time military bombs were recovered at a road construction site in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, six bombs from Ohoba, Ohaji/Egbema Local council area and some IEDs from a generating plant environment at Okigwe.

The command also recovered an IED built inside a fire extinguisher, a rocket launcher, five electro-magnetic war time bombs and six hand held grenades from a road construction site at Orlu.

Mohammed said four primed IEDs and one hand held grenade were recovered from an abandoned vehicle used by robbers along Okigwe Road, Owerri.

He noted: “We also recovered six pump action guns, 61 canons, six bags of gun powder and chemicals. It is important to sound a note of warning that people should report the presence of strange objects to the nearest police station for immediate action.”


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