POLICE ISSUE GUIDELINES ON LEGAL PURCHASE OF EXPLOSIVES

Coming on the heels of controversy generated by the transportation of explosives by a construction company, the police have advised all companies involved in the buying and selling of such explosives to first seek clearance from the Inspector General of Police.

In a statement by IGP Hafiz Ringim yesterday, the police said that the notification became necessary 'because of the current situation of things.'

While denying media reports that two cops suspected to be on illegal duty were arrested by soldiers at the Abuja City Gate, while escorting a truck loaded with 700 Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), the police the two policemen aboard the truck were genuine operatives of the Police Bomb Squad on legitimate duty.

The statement, signed by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olusola Amore, dismissed the report of the arrest as false and completely misleading.

The statement said: 'The attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, has been drawn to a national daily publication of 15th July 2011, captioned '700 bombs intercepted in Abuja.'

'A preliminary investigation conducted into the sensational publication established among other things: That two Police Anti Bomb Squad personnel F/No. 363135 Cpl Shorunke Tajudeen and F/No. 390650 Cpl Ini-obong Okon were officially detailed to escort a consignment of quarry explosives on 13/7/2011 from Dynatrac Nigeria Limited Magazine Iperu Remo, Ogun State to the following construction companies and quarry sites in Okene, Kogi State and Abuja FCT:)               Broni Prono construction company site Okene (already delivered); (ii)             SCC Construction company, Abuja; (iii)       Salini Construction company, Abuja; (iv)       Arab contractors, Abuja; (v)              Cinihs quarry, Mpape, Abuja; (vi)       Habibu quarry Mpape, Abuja

'The policemen escorting the explosives were in company of two members of staff of the company, namely, Godday Ikhidero - Sales Rep. and Taiwo Oyawusi  and in possession of company Way Bill itemizing  the goods in the truck and their intended  destination at the time of arrest.

'The IGP wishes to make it clear that this information only came to him this morning and was neither contacted by the story writers nor the arresting officers. In view of all the above, the publication is false in its entirety, misleading, untrue and should be discountenanced.

'The IGP advices all companies involved in the buying and selling of such explosives to first seek clearance from his office with regards future dealings and handlings because of the current situation of things.

'He also urges the media to always cross-check available facts before going to press and refrain from being unduly sensational in their report in view of the current security challenges in the country.'