Fear Grips Owerri Residents Over Detonated Bombs

Owerri residents are still living in fear after two bombs were detonated by the Police at Living faith Church, Winners Chapel, along Owerri- PortHarcourt Road, Owerri on Sunday morning

Investigations showed that the issue dominated discussions in offices, taxis, motor parks, vendor stands, as residents of the city discussed the matter and  expressed fear over the situation.

Callers on HOT FM Peoples Assembly Programme, a popular radio show expressed deep concern over the incident, calling on security agencies to step up security in the State just as they solicited  for proactive measures to curtail the influx of those with such ulterior motives into the State.  

While many thanked God that the bombs planted at the entrance gate of Winners Chapel did not explode, they expressed discomfort over the matter expressing fears that worst days could still be ahead in the State.

Some of them who spoke to this blog wondered how some persons could sneak in bombs into the State and placed at a Church to kill people.

Chief Anayo Ukachukwu, a trader described the incident as unfortunate, stating that there is the possibility that more bombs could be hidden in some places in the State, adding  that the peaceful nature of the city has been overtaken by fear after the incident.

While calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to beef up security in the State, he commended the Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command for acting promptly by detonating the bombs.

Mrs. Irene Eke, a tailor, expressed regret over the matter saying for sometime, there has been a careless attitude by the people towards the issue of security.

“Our people take security for granted, but I believe this situation will now compel everyone to be security conscious” she said.

Phillip Onyejiaka, a medical doctor, in his comments said “when former Governor Ikedi Ohakim said his house was bombed, nobody took him serious, infact, some people said he deliberately burnt his house to earn political sympathy, but this incident has proved to everyone that the former Governor was not joking. The truth is that these are bad times and with politics fast approaching, it is a worrisome situation in the State”  

Ernest Nlewedim, a drinking pub owner in the city, said he was dumbfounded when he heard news of the detonated bombs.

 He said“ when I heard the news, I became jittery. I lost words because I could not imagine how bombs that we hear explode in the North is now here with us. This implies everybody has to be careful. This is not a matter for the security agencies alone. The task of securing our State is a collective responsibility.

It will be recalled that two bombs were detonated at the entrance gate of Winners Chapel, Owerri on sunday morning.

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, in a statewide broadcast yesterday commended the security agencies for their timely and prompt intervention.

He said a security meeting between security agencies and stakeholders in the State will be held at the newly constructed Imo International Convention Centre, where ways of improving security in the State to avert a re occurrence will be discussed.

Meanwhile available reports indicate that the State Government has put in place stiffer measures to check trailers that come into the city with food items.

The Imo State Police Command says six persons have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation.