Police in Ebonyi have said there was no incident of suicide bombing in the state as reported by the news media on Tuesday.
The police spokesperson Loveth Odeh told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the picture of the alleged suicide bomber circulated on social media was not true.
“There is no bomb explosion in Ebonyi, but regrettably, this morning, one of our mobile police personnel attached to Afikpo on special duty was wounded by teargas,” Odeh said.
“The officer mistakenly hit a teargas hung on his belt, and unfortunately, the device exploded and wounded him and he died.
“The lifeless body, the man in the picture is Inspector Idi Aminu, attached to 32 PMF Abakaliki but on special duty at Afikpo.
“So, there is no bomb blast or explosion in Ebonyi. The general public should disregard the information.”
But a source quoted by multiple news media said the alleged bomber was refused entry into a primary school before he ran into a bush nearby.
“He made an attempt at entering Amaizu/Amangballa Primary School but was turned back by the school security since he couldn’t justify his reason for visiting. He immediately started running inside a nearby bush before a big bang was heard,” the source said.
Commissioner for internal security and border peace Stanley Okoro-Emegha also confirmed the incident but said he did not have details at the time he was contacted.
