The Kano State Police Command says it has averted a bomb explosion after it discovered a vehicle loaded with explosives at the Kano Eid prayer ground.
Addressing a news conference shortly after the Eid prayer, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Aderenle Shinaba, said that the explosive was set to go off at a time when the prayer was going on.
He explained that the officers who were assigned to clean up the Eid ground spotted a 406 Peugeot vehicle loaded with the Improvised Explosive Devices (IED).
According to the statement by the Commissioner, “On Saturday, the 26th July which is an eve to this year’s Eid Fitr celebration by Muslims all over the world, the Kano State Police Command wishes to inform the general Public that at about 10:40pm a distress call was received from the members of the community that a Peugeot 406 white in colour with reg. No AA 513 ZAK was discovered abandoned at the gate of Isiayaku Rabiu Mosque located at Goron Dutse Qtrs Kano.
“On receipt of the information, our men led by the EOD Personnel were mobilized to the scene and discovered the said vehicle was loaded with IEDs primed to be detonated during today’s Eid Fitr’s Prayers. We immediately disconnected and dislodge the EIDs safely without causing any injury or damage.”
The Police Commissioner, who promised the people of Kano State that the command would do everything possible to safeguard the lives and property of the people, also urged them to continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the police.
Nigeria Police Are On High Alert For Sallah
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Mr Frank Mba says the police is on very high alert with intensive foot and car patrols around key areas especially places of worship, recreation and shopping centres and critical government facilities around the country for the duration of the Sallah celebration.
Mr Mba told Channels Television that the police have already averted several attacks aimed at disrupting the peace of the celebration especially in Kano where explosives were detonated in front of a mosque and a suicide bomb attack intercepted with a lone death of the attacker.
He tasked Nigerians to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements and urged parents to be mindful of their wards and their whereabouts and help the police keep the Sallah celebrations peaceful and death-free.
