Over 100 lives were narrowly saved after a suspected explosive device was discovered at the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State.
The incident occurred when church members were excavating the area around the parsonage to construct a new fence, following the ongoing expansion of the adjoining road by the state government. During the digging, a large metal object buried in the ground was uncovered.
Eyewitnesses said the object was initially mistaken for scrap metal and was moved close to a nearby borehole before the priest in charge became suspicious and immediately warned those present to stay away from it. The priest subsequently alerted a military unit in Aba, prompting soldiers to arrive at the scene and safely evacuate the suspected bomb.
Residents and sympathisers who gathered at the church expressed gratitude that the device did not detonate, noting that the area is usually busy with traders and passersby and that an explosion could have resulted in massive loss of lives and property.
Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the Aba Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church, Rev. Thompson Ikpeoha, said he had yet to receive full details from the priest in charge.
