#AnambraDecides: Bomb scare in Onitsha ahead of governorship poll

Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have reportedly been discovered in Onitsha, Anambra state.

The IEDs were said to have been found on Friday near a police station in Onitsha north local government area.

The development is coming a few hours to the commencement of the state’s governorship election.

A resident in the area told TheCable on phone that the devices were sighted around 1pm on Friday.

“I was at the main market with my brother when we heard bombs were discovered in GRA, near the police station,” he said.

“The news caused tension with people rushing to pack their things and leave the market. But we later heard they (the IEDs) had been removed. Let’s hope this election doesn’t turn into something else.”

The IEDs were said to be evacuated by the officers in the anti-bomb squad of the police.

Efforts to reach the police for confirmation did not yield the desired result as Nkiruka Nwode, spokeswoman of the state police command, neither answered her calls nor replied the text message sent to her phone.

This is not the first time that there would be a bomb scare in the state during this election period.

Five days ago, there was a reported discovery of a substance suspected to be an IED at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.

However, Nkwachukwu Orji, the INEC resident electoral commissioner, had denied knowledge of such discovery.

Security agencies have assured citizens in the state of protection during and after the election.