Laptop bag mistaken for bomb causes panic in Maiduguri

By The Citizen

There was panic at Gwange Ward in Maiduguri on Saturday as the people mistook a laptop bag at the edge of a bridge to be an improvised explosive device.

The residents of the area as well as motorists ran for safety as information about the bag spread.

The entire area was immediately abandoned before the arrival of security agents who cordoned off the entire areas to prevent any eventuality.

It was later learnt that the bag fell at the edge of the bridge on Lagos Street from a pick-up van conveying vegetables to a market.

The driver of the vehicle, who simply identified himself as Musa, explained that the bag fell from the vehicle unknown to him, adding that it contained his shoes, cap and clothes.

Musa said he planned to attend a wedding ceremony after delivering the vegetables, adding the bag did not contain any devices

However, Malam Modu Mustapha, the ward head, called on the people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious movements and objects to the security agents.