The Kogi state government has debunked media reports of a bomb explosion in a government office in Lokoja on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, the media reports are false and misleading.
There were media reports earlier on Tuesday that a loud explosion was heard around the premises housing the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade.
Onogwu said an object that looked like an improvised explosive device (IED) was found in the premises of a government ministry was later discovered to be a mere plastic bottle and a can of insecticide wrapped together with a power source.
“The government is miffed and views this publication as malicious, false, misleading and a calculated attempt to cause panic and undermine the already improved security situation in the state.
“May we, at this point, state the true facts surrounding the incident that actually occurred earlier this morning of 26/07/2022 around the Ministry of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, opposite Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja.
“There was a distressing call to the police regarding an object that looked like an IED placed on the fence of the ministry of Local government and chieftaincy Affairs, opposite Mohammad Buhari Square, Lokoja.
“The Bomb Disposal Unit at the Nigerian Police Force Command located a minute away from the scene was immediately deployed to the area.
“On arrival they found out that it was a plastic bottle and a can of insecticide wrapped together with a power source to look like an IED. It was discovered to be a hoax and the object was removed by operatives of Bomb Disposal Unit,” he said.
Onogwu insisted that there was no explosion around any government premises in Lokoja as reported by some media platforms.
“For the sake of emphasis, we would like to put the record straight that there was no bomb explosion whatsoever in Kogi Government House or offices in Lokoja metropolises.
“The government commends the good people of Kogi for their unalloyed support given to the security agencies in the state and enjoins them to disregard false news as it is capable of causing palpable tension as well as instilling fear in the state while urging them to go about their normal businesses as there is no cause for alarm.”
