Bomb scare in Osun, as police detect explosive inside bank

Pandemonium broke out in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Tuesday, as an explosive object suspected to be bomb was detected on the premises of a branch of a first generation bank in the town.

Residents of the town, on hearing the news, were gripped with fear, as many believed that the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists had extended their terror campaign to the state.

The development, which grounded commercial activities for some hours, culminated in the hurried closure of most of the banks in Osogbo.

Nigerian Tribune authoritatively gathered that a security personnel at the bank located on Station Road detected the device and called the attention of the manager of the bank to the discovery.

The incident was later reported to the police, with officers attached to the anti-bomb squad of the state police command drafted to the bank to evacuate customers, majority of who were oblivious of the explosive device.

By the time the news of the device spread, owners of shops located close to the bank hurriedly closed their shops, while other financial institutions, including microfinance banks, shut down business activities, forcing customers to leave their premises immediately.

Some of the customers in the banks, when alerted to the bomb scare, were jittery, struggling to make their way out of the banking hall, just as few others were seen shedding tears over fear of possible explosion.

When the Nigerian Tribune moved around the city to monitor the situation, security operatives were spotted mounting surveillance at strategic areas, as customers trooped out of bank premises.

Commenting on the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Maishanu, confirmed that the object was an improvised explosive device.

He, however, allayed the fear of the people, stressing that the police were on top of the situation and would do everything to ensure safety of lives and properties.

Tribune