Boko Haram in South East: How Police foiled bomb attack at Winners Chapel

Police in Imo State have arrested six suspects over the discovery of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) planted on the premises of the Winners Chapel in Owerri, the state capital, Dail Independent reports.

Spokesperson for the state police command, Andrew Enwerem, disclosed this on Sunday.

Enwerem, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the police were alerted to strange objects at the entrance of the Port Harcourt Road branch of the church at about midnight on Saturday.

He said bomb experts were promptly drafted to the church to sweep the area.

“During their check, it was discovered that Improvised Explosive Devices

in forms of refrigerator compressor concealed in sack bags were discovered.”

“One was promptly detonated at the scene because it was on a timer. The other one was dis-alarmed and then taken away for detonation.”

The police spokesperson said those arrested have not been directly linked to planting the deadly explosives.

“They were arrested because we believe we might be able to obtain information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators from them,” Enwerem said, adding that “investigations are ongoing”.

The police believe the explosives were planted on Saturday night and timed to explode after worshipers had gathered for worship on Sunday.

State Police Commissioner, Abdumajid Ali, had while briefing journalists at the church premises said the police command would do everything possible to unravel the perpetrators of the act.

He urged the people to go about their normal activities, as the two IEDs have been detonated.

Also speaking, Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owerri, Lanre Bello, a Brig.-Gen., confirmed that the explosives were capable of killing many people at a time.

Worshipers at the church were full of thanks to God for sparing their lives.

A worshiper, Onumara Onyekachi, said: “I was about getting ready for the second service when a friend posted this ‘Breaking News!!!!!! Police Anti Bomb squad has just detonated two bomb explosives planted at Winner Chapel PH road Owerri’.

“I made a few calls and confirmed that it was true.”