Panlc as Suspected BQmb Discovered in Abia Church

Panlc gripped members of the United Evangelical Church (UEC), Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill in Aba, Abia State, after a large metal object suspected to be an unexploded explosive was discovered within the church premises during renovation work.

The incident occurred as congregants embarked on the reconstruction of the church fence to align with the ongoing state government road expansion project along the axis. The road project, which separates the main church building from the parsonage, necessitated the removal of the old perimeter fence and the installation of a new one.

Eyewitnesses said the object was uncovered while workers were excavating the ground near the parsonage to lay the foundation for the new fence. The strange, heavy metal device, buried beneath the surface, initially drew curiosity from those present.

According to an eyewitness, one of the workers reportedly moved the object toward a nearby borehole for closer inspection before the priest in charge intervened.

“The road which divides the church building and the parsonage is being expanded by the state government. The church decided to remove the old fence and build a new one to make way for the expansion. It was while digging for the new fence that they unearthed the metal object. Nobody knew it was a bomb. The pastor later invited soldiers who evacuated it,” the eyewitness recounted.

Sensing potential danger, the priest quickly cautioned members to keep their distance and promptly alerted a military unit in Aba. Soldiers arrived shortly afterward, cordoned off the area, and evacuated the suspected device to a secure location.

The discovery drew a crowd of onlookers and sympathisers, many of whom expressed relief that the object was identified and removed without incident. Residents noted that the area is typically busy with traders, worshippers and passersby, warning that any explosion could have resulted in significant casualties and destruction of nearby structures.

Rev. Thompson Ikpeoha, Secretary of the Aba Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church, confirmed the development. He, however, stated that he was still awaiting a detailed briefing from the priest overseeing the Ehere/Umuola branch.

Efforts to reach the Army Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, for official comment were unsuccessful as of press time. Nonetheless, a senior military officer in Aba confirmed that the Army had taken custody of the object and that further investigations were underway to determine its nature, origin and how it came to be buried at the site.

The incident has heightened security concerns within the community, with residents speculating that the object could be a remnant of past conflicts or have been deliberately planted. Authorities have yet to release conclusive findings as investigations continue.