Police Rescue Chime, Deputy Senate President From Planted Bomb

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 18, (THEWILL) – The Police in Enugu today said it found and evacuated a bomb planted under one of the seats at the VIP section inside Okpara Square, Enugu, where the state Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime and other party candidates had gathered to flag off his Governorship election campaign.

Enugu State Police Commissioner, Mr. John Danazumi Doma told journalists that the bomb was found a few hours to the event under one of the seats close to where Chime’s seat was located. He said had the bomb exploded, the havoc would have been terrible because the obvious target was Chime, and other top party men in the state.

Doma explained that anti-bomb experts from the police force usually sweep venues of such events before they commence adding that the cops were vigilant.

“I can confirm to you that a bomb was recovered at the venue of the PDP rally.

“It was a locally made improvised bomb (IED) buried under the VIP pavilion meant for the Governor and other dignitaries. It was buried directly in the middle meant for the Governor and his entourage,” the police commissioner said.

The discovery of the bomb however did not stop the rally from holding as Chime addressed the crowd of party men and supporters.

The Enugu Governor has been at loggerheads with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to ousted National Chairman of the party, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.

The police Commissioner said his command has opened an investigation to unravel the source of the explosive.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Senate spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, who are both senatorial candidates were also present and addressed the supporters.