*It’s not a bomb-Police
There was mayhem on Thursday at the United States
Embassy in Lagos State, after workers and visa seekers noticed an abandoned bag
and panicked, thinking it was a bomb.
How the rumour that the bag was a bomb started is
yet unknown, but it spread like wildfire after a guard, attached to the embassy
first sighted it.
People at the embassy went berserk and scampered for
safety, fearful that the bag would soon explode.
The panic caused confusion at the Walter Carrington crescent,
Victoria Island, as motorists and passersby hurriedly reversed when they heard
the word bomb.
Some minutes later, a team of policemen from the
Anti-Bomb Unit and mobile policemen, rushed to the scene.
The area was quickly cordoned-off as policemen
carefully attempted to ascertain the nature of the explosive.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner
of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said it was a mere rumour.
According to him, no bomb was planted at the
American Embassy in Lagos.
Owoseni explained that the bag, which was kept in
one of the vehicles at the Consular General office, Victoria Island, only
contained medical equipment.
His words: “We got a call at about 7.40am concerning
the strange bag. I immediately dispatched the anti-bomb team, marine police and
anti-terrorist operatives to the scene. The anti-bomb team professionally
removed the bag from the vehicle. After scanning the bag, they discovered that
all items inside were medical tools. We are, however, investigating the reason
the bag was left there and who it belongs to. We don’t want to leave anything
to chance. We want to also allay the fear of people in Lagos and the diplomatic
community that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the
America Embassy in Lagos. The police in Lagos assure foreigners and citizens of
their safety. Since the bag was removed from the embassy, normal activities
have resumed.”
When Owoseni opened the bag, it contained bandages,
scissors, plaster among others.
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