Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has reacted to Tuesday’s explosion in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Francis Nwaze, the governor said a Police officer and not a suicide bomber died from the blast.
According to Nwaze, the security personnel was carrying out his duties with a grenade at the said location before it accidentally exploded.
“My attention has been drawn to a news making the round in some section of the media that there was an explosion of a suicide bomb in Afikpo, Ebonyi State this afternoon,” the statement said.
“The above news is in sharp contrast to the reality as the incident was a grenade of a security personnel carrying out his duties at the said location that accidentally exploded. A similar incident equally occurred in front of the Ebonyi State Old Government House as some mobile police officers were servicing their APC machine.
“The first incident took the life of a passerby while the second caused injuries on the affected person, who has been taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.
“The general public is, therefore, charged to disregard the fake news as it is the handiwork of enemies of the state who are bent on causing panic where none exists.
“Furthermore, Ebonyians and residents of Ebonyi State are reminded that generating and spreading of fake news aimed at causing panic in the state is actionable”.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command identified the victim as Idi Aminu.
Spokesperson, Loveth Odah, said Aminu was a mobile police officer on special deployment to Afikpo.
The incident, which occurred opposite Amizi Amangbala Primary School, had created panic among residents.
“He mistakenly hit the lead of his grenade which was hanging on his waist with his elbow, resulting in the deadly explosion,” Ms Odah said.
The spokesperson said the remains of the police operative have been taken to a mortuary.
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