Kogi State Government says that no explosion happened within the governor’s office as alleged by some media yesterday, stating that what was disposed by police bomb disposal unit was actually some object put together to play pranks on people.
In press statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, chief press secretary, CPS, to Governor Yahaya Bello, the state government described the publication as “malicious, false, misleading and a calculated attempt to cause panic and undermine the already improved security situation in the state”.
He made the statement despite police clarification that the said explosion was as a result of Police Bomb Disposal Unit’s activities at the site after being alerted to strange object at the place.
Explaining government’s side of the matter, Mohammed narrated thus:
“May we, at this point, state the true facts surrounding the incident that actually occurred earlier this morning of 26/07/2022 around the Ministry of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, opposite Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja.
“There was a distressing call to the police regarding an object that looked like an IED placed on the fence of the ministry of Local government and chieftaincy Affairs, opposite Mohammad Buhari Square, Lokoja.
“The Bomb Disposal Unit at the Nigerian Police Force Command located a minute away from the scene was immediately deployed to the area.
“On arrival they found out that it was a plastic Bottle and a Can of insecticide wrapped together with a power source to look like an IED. It was discovered to be a hoax and the object was removed by operatives of Bomb Disposal Unit.
“However, there was no explosion around any government premises in Lokoja as reported by some media platforms,” he said.