Man nabbed after failed detonation of explosive device in Rivers

A man has been arrested in Rivers State following a failed detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Hotel Presidential.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, revealed that the suspect was falsely presented at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital as a road traffic accident victim.

However, on discovering that this wasn’t the case, the matter was immediately reported to state authorities and the police.

“We made a call earlier today (yesterday), alerting all medical facilities in the state to be vigilant and watch out for individuals with traumatic amputations, following a failed attempt to detonate an explosive at Hotel Presidential.

“When a young man was therefore brought to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with alleged injuries from a road traffic accident, our medical personnel were on high alert. They quickly recognised that his injuries were not consistent with a road accident, but rather resembled those from a blast,” she said.

Oreh said the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Health were working together to ensure the suspect received medical attention while in custody. She also said the hospital had been secured; adding that one person who accompanied the suspect remained with him, while others fled.