BY CHIDI NKWOPARA, OWERRI.
Papable confusion and apprehension gripped inhabitants of Obollo, Isiala Mbano local council area of Imo State, following the startling discovery of a huge bomb near the Umudo village hall.
Vanguard gathered that some of the villagers, who initially blamed the incident on the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram, quickly scampered into safe communities outside the area.
It was also gathered that the un-exploded bomb was found less than 24 hours to a scheduled concelebrated sung mass billed for the village by the Parish Priest of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Obollo, Rev. Fr. Charles Ohuabunwa.
Confirming the near ugly development to newsmen, the Village Head, Chief Patrick Osuji and another villager, Mr. Uzoma Okorigwe said the bomb was discovered at about 3pm when an old man was trying to clean up the hall and its surroundings ahead of the Eucharistic celebration.
The duo equally affirmed that information about the shocking discovery was quickly passed on to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Umuelemai.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Mr. I. M. Anaforom, who was at the scene of the incident, told newsmen that his men swung into action as soon as he received the report.
“We rushed to the scene, assessed the situation, cordoned off the area and alerted the appropriate authorities. That was how the bomb disposal unit of the State Police Command was called in to detonate the bomb”, Anaforom said.
Answering another question, the DPO said the bomb was a conventional foreign-made explosive and not an improvised explosive device.
He passionately appealed to the citizenry to be more vigilant and promptly report any suspicious object to the police for necessary action.
