Plateau State Police Confirm No Explosion After Bomb Scare in Jos

The Plateau State Police Command has confirmed that no explosion occurred in Jos, the state capital, following reports of a bomb scare near the Terminus Market area on Tuesday morning.

According to Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, the authorities received a report at around 8:20 am of a shallow dug hole suspected to be planted with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). However, upon further examination, the hole was found to be safe and free of any explosive devices.

The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, has since declared the area free of explosives.

This statement from the police contradicts earlier reports from some residents who claimed that a bomb or explosive device had been found and removed by the anti-bomb squad.

Gyang Bere, the Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, had earlier dismissed the rumors of an alleged IED, stating that the alarm was a false one triggered by a group of individuals who misinterpreted a heap of polythene bags as a potential threat.

“Governor Mutfwang urged all Plateau citizens to remain vigilant and to act as responsible ambassadors of the state, upholding its reputation and rich heritage. He assured the public that his administration is committed to ensuring enduring security across Plateau State, working tirelessly to restore peace and stability to the region,” Bere added.

For many Jos residents, the Terminus Market area has a traumatic history, with a twin bomb blast in 2014 killing at least 118 people. However, the Jos-Bukuru area has experienced relative peace in recent years.

The Plateau State Police Command has assured the public that the situation is under control and has called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.