Explosive Device Found In Edo State House Of Assembly

Source: thewillnigeria.com

Benin City March 01, (THEWILL) – Activities at the Edo State House of Assembly was shut down on Monday from about 2.10 p.m. local time when a police officer attached to the facility discovered a device which police later said was capable of causing multiple injuries and deaths.

It was a few minutes into Monday's assembly session, which had only Action Congress (AC) legislators in attendance when the device was discovered. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator's boycotted proceedings.

The Improvised Explosive Device (IED), according to a team from the Edo State police anti-bomb squad had the capability of destroying objects within a range of at least 500 meters from point of explosion when detonated.

The anti-bomb squad, which arrived the premises of the assembly almost immediately after the discovery, cordoned off the premises and began a controlled detonation of the device using sand bags to absolve the blast.

A report presented by Mr. Taiwo Akingbehin, the leader of the anti-bomb squad to the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Kachi Udeoji that was seen by our reporter showed the deadly device was made from various components including plastics and was capable of causing multiple deaths when detonated.

The new Speaker of the House Hon. Bright Omokhodion accompanied by some legislators visited the Mr. Udeoga in relation to the incident. They urged the police to step up security at the Assembly in order to protect legislators and assembly staff.

Responding to the legislators, the Commissioner said, “Thank God that we have been able to keep the place safe for human habitation. In advanced countries, what we have is politics of maturity.

"I beg all of you not to overheat the State by what you do or say, because at the end of the day, we are the same; there is no foreigner among you. Language, reasoning and argument are the case in a civilized parliament.

"Our bomb disposal people will be permanently stationed at the Assembly Complex and anybody going into the place will be thoroughly screened,” he assured.

Commenting on the incident, Edo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, said, "Government views this sad development with very grave concern. It exposes the depth to which mischief makers and evil persons can descend just to achieve their selfish and inordinate political interests.

"We hereby warn these mischief-makers to desist from these nefarious acts because government will not fold its arms and allow terrorists to disturb the peace of the state. Government will do everything within its resources to unmask the perpetrators of these wicked and evil acts and ensure they are brought to book."

State legislators have been involved in a power tussle since the inception of the Adam Oshiomhole led AC government. It deteriorated after the Action Congress won the seat in the last re-run election in Etsako Central, one of local government areas in the state.

The House of assembly was sealed off last week after legislators engaged in a dangerous free for all fight.