Plan of suspected hoodlums to exterminate police men at observation point in Otuocha in Anambra East local council of the state was foiled, as the police men detected the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted behind the observation point for the purpose.

The explosive device contained in a white plastic paint bucket filled with shrapnels was sighted just behind the observation point of Police men attached to 54 Police Mobile Force (PMF) along Otuocha-Nando road, Otuocha.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state Mr. Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police, who confirmed the story said that as soon as the discovery was made, the area was immediately cordoned off. He added that the Command Explosives Ordinance Disposal unit (EOD) operatives were deployed to the scene.

The men found in the white plastic bucket, according to him a “shrapnels glued together with concrete cement and connected with two wires extended to the nearby bush.

“It was examined and confirmed to be an improvised explosive device (IED),” Mohammed said.

“Consequently, the device was successfully deactivated and evacuated to a safer location where it was demobilised.”

The Police Command, in a statement implored the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious objects or persons to the nearest Police Station or through the command emergency number 07039194332 for prompt action.

He, however, said no arrest was made but that the command is investigating the reason behind the dastardly act. (Saturday Independent)