SUSPECTED BOMB DISCOVERED AT CHIURCH IN ABA, DISASTER AVERTED

A major tragedy was narrowly avoided at the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, after church members uncovered a large metal object suspected to be an unexploded bomb during fence reconstruction work within the church premises.

The discovery was made while congregants were excavating the ground around the parsonage area to erect a new fence, following the removal of the old one to allow for the Abia State Government’s ongoing road expansion project that separates the church building from the parsonage.

According to eyewitnesses, the heavy metal object was initially moved toward a nearby borehole for inspection before the priest in charge became suspicious that it could be an explosive device and immediately ordered everyone to keep their distance.

The priest alerted a military unit in Aba, prompting soldiers to arrive swiftly at the scene, cordon off the area, and evacuate the suspected bomb safely. The road expansion and construction activities were temporarily halted as security personnel secured the environment.

Church members, traders, and residents expressed gratitude that the device was discovered in time, noting that if it had detonated, it could have caused massive casualties and destruction in the busy area. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has taken over investigations to determine the nature, origin, and how the object was buried at the site.