Police give account of bomb explosion in Imo oil facility
• Recover undetonated explosive devices
IMO State Police Command has explained its findings on how the explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, at the entrance of the Addax Oil Petroleum in Izombe, Oguta Local Council of the state.
According to a statement issued, yesterday, by the command’s spokesman, Michael Abattam, facts by the command’s tactical team and Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit ( EOD) revealed that the carrier detonated the bomb that exploded. Abattam, also, noted that while combing the area, three unexploded improvised explosive devices ( IED) were recovered.
The statement reads: “Sequel to a report received on May 4, 2022, from the Chief Security Officer ( CSO) of ADDAA Flow Station, Izombe in Oguta Local Council of Imo State, that, on the same day, at about 01: 45 hours, they heard a loud explosion outside the company’s premises, making them suspect an attack on the company’s facilities.
“On receipt of this information, the command’s tactical teams and the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit ( EOD), were dispatched to the scene at Izombe, where, on arrival, a lifeless body of a young man was seen with his two hands cut off.
“On close observation, it was discovered that while in possession of the Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDS), in company of others ferr ying it to where they were to use it, the bomb suddenly detonated a nd exploded, resulting to death of the y oung man, while others were suspecte d to be injured due to the volume of blood stains and trails seen all around the scene of the blast.
“The Bomb Unit took charge of the scene, sweeping the area carefully, and, in the process, three more Improvised Explosives Devices were recovered.
“One has been detonated while the other two, constructed with GSM phones attached to them and will only explode when the configured number is dialed, were still intact. In the end, the scene was declared safe from any explosive devices. It was, then, the police operatives carried out a diligent search where a big iron cutter and cellphone were recovered.”
On suspicion that the bombers had targeted the petroleum facility, the police noted: “On the spot assessment of the scene of the incident showed that the distance between the oil tanks/ pipelines and where the explosion occurred is about five meters; hence, it is suspected that the target of the hoodlums might have been to attack and destroy the company’s facilities before they met their waterloo.”