Plateau Police Dismiss Bomb Scare Near Murtala Muhammed Way, Urge Calm Among Residents

The Plateau State Police Command has debunked reports of bomb explosions allegedly planted near Murtala Muhammed Way in Jos, the state capital.

Following a bomb scare on Monday morning, security personnel restricted vehicle movement in the area to investigate, but found no evidence of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the site.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Alabo Alfred, Plateau State Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina dismissed the rumor as false and urged the public to disregard it.

DSP Alfred stated, “At approximately 08:20 a.m. today, November 12, 2024, the Plateau State Police Command received a report regarding a shallow dug hole suspected to contain an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along Murtala Mohammed Way, near the Old JUTH fence, causing alarm among residents.”

Upon receiving the report, the command immediately dispatched the Area Commander Metro and the Officer in Charge of the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, also known as the Anti-Bomb Squad, to the scene, alongside the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of “C” Division, to investigate and take necessary action.

Upon arriving, the team cordoned off the area, and the EOD Team thoroughly examined the site. After the investigation, they confirmed that the hole was free of any explosives. The Plateau State Commissioner of Police and his team also visited the site to assess the situation directly.

The Commissioner commended the residents for their vigilance and cooperation with the police throughout the operation. He assured the public that the area was safe and encouraged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang also called for calm, assuring residents that a thorough investigation was underway. In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor explained that the scare was caused by a misinterpretation of a heap of polythene bags, mistakenly suspected to be a potential threat.

The governor urged citizens to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unfounded rumors, and support the government’s efforts to maintain security across the state.