Police and other security agencies are on a manhunt for a middle-aged man who attempted to detonate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, but sustained serious injury before he was whisked away.
The failed bomb attempt happened as top political leaders from the different wards of Obio/Akpor Local Government who are supporters of minister of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike continue their protest over the tenure of local government chairpersons in the state.
The incident happened in front of Hotel Presidential at, according to an eyewitness account.
The failed bomber was taken away hurriedly as security agents trooped to the location where the incident by people suspected to be his accomplices, the eyewitness said.
Rivers Commissioner for Health Dr Mrs. Adaeze Oreh confirmed the incident to journalists.
According to her, there was a failed attempt to detonate an improvised explosive device near hotel presidential.
Dr Oreh said the suspected bomber who seriously injured in his upper limb while trying to detonate explosive.
She advised members of the public and owners of the hospitals to watch out for the same person and if seen of found should be reported to the Commissioner Police or Ministry of Health.
She said, “While we are condemning the malicious attempt to disturb the peace of the State. Rivers Ministry of Health hereby calls all public and private health facilities to be on the alert to look for a young man who who has a traumatically dismembered body upper lane as this injury was sustained in attempt to detonate the explosive device. Such suspect and his accomplices when presented at any of the health facilities should be reported to the police or Ministry of Health”.
The bomb incident as-Wike protesters take over the major streets of Port Harcourt as they condemn the setting up Caretaker Committees for local governments by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They also declared their support for police barricade of the council Secretariats. procession to their destination.
As of the time of filing this report, the protesters were at the Rumueme Civic Center in Port Harcourt, and the likes of Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ogundu Chinda, factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and former Council Chairman of Obio-Akpor LGA ,George Ariolu were leading the march.
They asked the Inspector General of Police not succumb to any form of intimidation.
The solidarity march is taking place along Ikwerre road, as the crowd was said to be causing a gridlock on the road.
The Rivers State Police Command has not reacted to the attempted bomb blast as at the time of filing in this story.
