Abia Police Debunk Bomb Scare at Aba Church, Say Object Was Iron Rod
The Abia State Police Command has dismissed reports of a bomb discovery at the United Evangelical Church in Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, clarifying on Tuesday that the object in question was an iron rod removed from a church pillar during a road construction enforcement operation.
The clarification follows widespread reports that church members, while excavating the fence area around the parsonage for a new structure, had unearthed a large metal object suspected to be an explosive device. According to the initial reports, one of the workers reportedly took the object to a nearby water borehole, prompting the priest in charge to raise alarm and warn others to keep their distance over fears it could be a bomb.
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However, in a statement issued through the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, categorically refuted the claims.
“I can authoritatively confirm that no bomb or explosive was recovered from the said area,” Isa stated. “Thorough investigations conducted through the Divisional Police Officer covering the area have affirmed this.”
The commissioner provided further context, explaining that the incident stemmed from a road reconstruction project being undertaken by the Abia State government. According to Isa, the church had encroached on the road corridor and was instructed to move back slightly to create space for the ongoing construction work.
“This directive was not complied with, prompting the military to intervene to ensure compliance,” he said.
He explained that during the enforcement process, an iron rod that formed part of a pillar of the church structure was removed by military personnel as part of the adjustment required to accommodate the road project.
“Therefore, there was nothing resembling a bomb or explosive recovered anywhere in Aba,” Isa emphasised.
The incident highlights recurring tensions between religious institutions and government infrastructure projects in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban areas where land use disputes and right-of-way conflicts are common. Churches, mosques, and other community structures often find themselves in the path of road expansions, drainage projects, or urban renewal initiatives, leading to legal and sometimes physical confrontations between property owners and enforcement agencies.
In recent years, state governments across Nigeria have intensified efforts to reclaim road corridors and enforce urban planning regulations, often deploying security agencies to ensure compliance. Such operations have occasionally resulted in public misunderstandings, property disputes, and accusations of heavy-handedness by enforcement teams.
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The involvement of the military in a civil matter such as road construction compliance has also raised questions, as such duties typically fall within the purview of civilian agencies such as urban development authorities or state environmental task forces. However, security forces are sometimes deployed to support enforcement operations in situations where resistance or public disorder is anticipated.
Commissioner Isa sought to reassure the public of the police command’s commitment to maintaining security across Abia State, describing the force as vigilant and proactive in its mandate to protect lives and property.
“Officers of the command are active, alert, and strategically deployed across the state to maintain safety and security,” he said.