Police: Abuja Explosion Not Act of Terrorism

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Mr. Femi Ogunbayode, Tuesday, debunked insinuations doing the
rounds that the Easter Monday explosion that rocked an uncompleted building site within Karu vicinity, an outskirts of the Abuja
metropolis, was an act of terrorism.
He explained that the explosion was caused by an ignorant security guard who mistakenly set a  'commercial explosive' on fire
in the course of making a bonfire at the site.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on the incident, he added: "In the course of our investigation, our  Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit were
brought in, and after combing the entire site, it was revealed that contrary to what we thought, it was disposed canisters of
insecticide that caused the explosion.
But at the end of it all, it was discovered that it was a commercial explosive that was ignited by a security guard while making
bonfire." The CP revealed that after  combing the entire site, five  other commercial undetonated explosives were recovered.
According to him, the explosion was initially thought to have occurred at Mr. Biggs eatery joint, adding that it was when police
responded quickly to the scene that it was discovered that the incident occurred at an uncompleted building site beside the
eatery house.
While investigation had commenced on the incident, Ogunbayode however pointed out, that the use and handling of
commercial explosives by the public are permissible by law.
He said:  "We are investigating the circumstances surrounding these explosives and how they got there.
"As I said, the security man who ignorantly threw these explosives into the bonfire he made was not injured. "There was no
injury to any person, no life was lost in the incident.
"It is not an act of terrorism or whatsoever."
According to the CP, “Investigation is still very much ongoing. But let me use this opportunity to assure Abuja residents of their
safety at all times.
"The FCT Command will continue to provide the desired security within the territory, people should go about their lawful
businesses without fear."
Further to the police investigation, he added that the owner of the site was being interrogated as to how the explosives could
have gotten into the building site.
"But as I said it was not an act of terrorism and there was no injury to anybody." Ogunbayode stated.