3 bomb makers arrested in Edo, one feared dead

One person has reportedly died while two others sustained injuries in an explosion in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The incident occurred on Monday when an improvised explosive device triggered an explosion in the Iddo area of Okpella community.The community was said to have been thrown into confusion after residents heard the explosion suspected to have emanated from an apartment in the neighbourhood.

The lifeless body of the unidentified victim was said to have been sighted at the back of the building by some residents, who immediately raised the alarm.

However, it was gathered from a source in the area that the occupants of the apartment had converted the room to an IED factory.

One of the occupants was reportedly fleeing in a vehicle containing some IEDs, when he was apprehended by residents who handed him over to the police.

The deceased was later said to have been identified as one of the occupants of the apartment.

The President of Iddo Youth, Mr. Mohammad Mohammad, said,

“We all came out when we heard the blast and informed residents that the thing that just exploded killed a man. On getting to the place, one of the occupants of the building escaped in a vehicle.

“So, the youths gave him a hot chase, shouting that he had killed somebody. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Divisional Police Officer before his onward transfer to the area command.”

But when contacted on Tuesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, said he was not aware of the incident.

He said,

“I am having a press briefing tomorrow (Wednesday). I am gathering the facts myself; the facts are not too clear now. I am not aware of what you are saying.”

Meanwhile, police have arrested 52 Shiite protesters in Abuja, recovered bombs, other weapons. Read