PANIC WAS AVERTED AT THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH, EHERE/UMUOLA, OGBOR HILL, ABA, ABIA STATE, AFTER A SUSPECTED BOMB WAS DISCOVERED WITHIN THE CHURCH PREMISES, AN INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE CLAIMED OVER 100 LIVES.(PHOTO)

Panic was averted at the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, after a suspected bomb was discovered within the church premises, an incident that could have claimed over 100 lives.

Eyewitnesses stated that church members were digging around the parsonage to erect a new fence, following ongoing road expansion by the state government, when they unearthed a large metal object buried underground. 

Unaware of its nature, one of the workers reportedly moved the object close to a nearby borehole before the resident priest suspected it could be an explosive device and immediately warned everyone to stay away.

The priest promptly alerted a military unit in Aba, leading to the deployment of soldiers who evacuated the object from the premises. Sympathizers and residents who gathered at the scene expressed gratitude that the object did not explode, noting that the area is usually crowded with traders and passersby and that an explosion could have caused massive loss of lives and property.

Confirming the incident, the Secretary of the Aba Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church, Rev. Thompson Ikpeoha, said he was aware of the development but was yet to receive a full briefing. While efforts to reach the Army Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, were unsuccessful, a senior military officer in Aba confirmed that the Army headquarters has taken over investigations into the matter.