BREAKING: Soldiers Evacuate Suspected Bomb from Aba Church, Over 100 Lives Potentially Saved

A major tragedy was narrowly avoided in Aba, Abia State, after soldiers safely evacuated a suspected explosive device from the premises of a church, an incident believed could have claimed over 100 lives if it had detonated.

The incident occurred at the United Evangelical Church (UEC), Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba, while church members were carrying out excavation work to reconstruct their fence. The reconstruction followed the removal of the old fence to accommodate the ongoing expansion of a state government road that separates the church auditorium from the parsonage.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that while digging around the parsonage area, workers unearthed a large, heavy metal object buried underground. Unaware of its danger, one individual reportedly carried the object toward a nearby borehole for closer examination.

However, the priest in charge immediately suspected the object might be an explosive device and ordered everyone to vacate the area. He subsequently contacted a military unit in Aba for urgent assistance.

Soldiers arrived swiftly, secured the surroundings, cordoned off the area, and evacuated the suspected bomb without incident.

An eyewitness explained that the discovery happened unexpectedly during routine digging for the new fence, adding that panic was averted only due to the quick intervention of the priest and the military.

Residents, church members, and passersby who gathered at the scene expressed deep gratitude, noting that the device, if explosive, could have caused massive destruction. The area is typically busy with traders, worshippers, and pedestrians, leading many to estimate that over 100 lives and nearby structures could have been affected.

Confirming the incident, Rev. Thompson Ikpeoha, Secretary of the Aba Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church, said he was aware of the situation but was still awaiting a detailed briefing from the priest overseeing the Ehere/Umuola branch.

While attempts to reach the Army Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, a senior military officer in Aba confirmed the evacuation. The officer revealed that Army headquarters has taken over investigations to determine the nature, origin, and circumstances surrounding the buried object.

The discovery has since raised fresh security concerns within the community, with residents urging authorities to conduct further checks to rule out the presence of other buried explosives, possibly linked to past conflicts or deliberate placement.