Plateau, police deny reports of explosion in Jos

The Plateau State Government has denied that an explosion rocked Jos, the state capital, describing it as “only a bomb scare.”

This is despite reports of an explosion said to have occurred in the city on Tuesday morning, which sent panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses had reported that the blast occurred around 10:30 am near the densely populated Terminus market area.

Emergency services, including the police, fire department, and ambulance teams, reportedly rushed to the scene to provide assistance.

But in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday, Gyang Bere‎, who is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, said, “There was nothing like an explosion in Jos today.

“It was a bomb scare. People just came and there was a heap of polythene bags like that. And then they just raised the alarm and the bomb squad came.

“Then they searched. Then there was nothing. So that created panic among people. But there was nothing like that. In fact, it was a false alarm. People are going about their normal businesses. The road to that place now is clear, people are passing.

“When the anti-bomb squad came to that place. They looked at it and there was nothing. You know, when you have this anti-bomb squad condoning the whole place, people get scared because they needed to find out what happened there.”

Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria also reported that the police in the state had also dismissed the explosion reports.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, in a statement on Tuesday, said the command received a report that an Improvised Explosive Device was allegedly planted around Murtala Way, Jos.

“The rumour created panic among the residents of the state. Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, immediately mobilised the Anti-Bomb Squad to the scene to assess the situation and take necessary actions.

“On reaching the scene, the area was immediately cordoned and our team began examination and the hole was found to be safe and free of any explosive devices,” he said.