[UPDATED] Plot to bomb Winners Chapel ‘foiled’

Police say they have foiled a plan to bomb a branch of the Winners Chapel located on Owerri-Port Harcourt expressway, Imo State.

An estimated 2,000 members worship at the church every Sunday.

The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were found concealed in a refrigerator or air conditioner compressor inside a bag.

Imo State police commissioner Abdulmajid Ali confirmed to journalists at the premises of the church that two timed bombs were planted there by unknown persons.

“We were alerted that some devices were seen in the church and immediately we deployed our anti-bomb squad.

“We are happy that the squad immediately detonated the bomb on arrival and six persons have been arrested so far,” he said.

He urged the people to go about their normal activities as the two IEDs had been detonated.

Brigade Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, Brigadier-Gen. Lanre Bello, confirmed that the explosives were capable of killing many people at a time.

The Sunday church service still held but at the government-owned Heroes Square, Owerri.

The Owerri branch of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners Chapel) is one of the biggest in the south-east. Its large compound houses the church auditorium as well as a school and book store.

The overall head of the church is Bishop David Oyedepo (pictured).