From Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki

THERE was apprehension in Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as an object suspected to be a bomb was discovered in the community’s stream by a scavenger.

Though the police said it had evacuated the object and the result of the analysis is being awaited, residents of the area have fled their homes for fear of being killed by the suspected bomb.

The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jude Madu said the object was discovered by one Okoro Chikaodiri at the Onu-Ezeukwu Uzo stream while searching for scraps.

Meanwhile, Governor David Umahi has said all is set for the conduct of local government elections across the 13 local government areas in the first quarter of the year.

Governor Umahi stated this when stakeholders of Izzi Local Government Area paid him a New Year homage in his Uburu hometown in Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

Umaho who noted that the decision was to enthrone democracy at the grassroots, explained that efforts were on to source funds to make the exercise a reality.

Umahi further said a bill to amend the local government law would be sent to the House of Assembly to enable serving local government caretaker committee chairmen participate in the election.

He reiterated the readiness of his administration to provide democracy dividends to the people.

“We shall strive assiduously to ensure commencement of work on the Abakaliki Ring Road which cuts across most of the local government areas in the state.

“We shall take our rural electrification project to the three senatorial districts,” Umahi said.

Health and education sectors will not be left out.  Shop here at the police command headquarters in Abakaliki for analysis and the  result of the analysis is being awaited.”

Madu, however, urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses because the case has been taken care of.

In a related development, the Ebonyi State Police Command has raised the alarm over increase in vehicle battery and car stereo theft in the

state and called on the public to be vigilant.

The police image maker, Jude Madu described as alarming, the rate in which criminals bungle people’s cars and steal their vehicle battery

as well as car stereo and said the command had put machinery in motion to crack the syndicate.