Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Some items suspected to be components of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) have been discovered by operatives attached to the Delta State police command along Ughelli-Patani Road.
The items include 128 pieces of 60mm, 156kg emulsion chemical substances and five pieces of electric detonators all concealed in several black bags.
Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Chuks Orisewezie, who confirmed the development late on Friday in Asaba, said the items were found in an unregistered white Toyota Hilux Van which was intercepted by a stop-and-search team on the road.
Orisewezie said although the two occupants of the vehicle escaped into the nearby bush after they had earlier refused to stop when they were flagged down by operatives, the vehicle was impounded, adding that the Bomb Disposal unit had since confirmed the items to be IED.
According to him, the state Commissioner of Police, Adeyinka B. Adeleke, allayed the fears of all Deltans, stating that there was no cause for alarm as a result of the discovery.
Adeleke admonished members of the public to be vigilant and security conscious, and to report any strange object 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 Saturday’s election by any means will be seriously dealt with.
