SaharaReporters gathered that the suspected explosive device was first seen by church members who were carrying out routine construction work around the parsonage.
Tension gripped the Ogbor Hill area of Aba, Abia State, following the discovery of a large object suspected to be a bomb within the premises of the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola.
However, no fewer than 100 persons would have been dead if the object had exploded.
SaharaReporters gathered that the suspected explosive device was first seen by church members who were carrying out routine construction work around the parsonage.
The church had reportedly commenced the removal of its old perimeter fence to erect a new one.
According to the eyewitness, while digging the fence foundation, the workers struck a large metal object buried beneath the ground.
Unaware of its nature, one of the church members reportedly moved the strange object close to a nearby water borehole within the premises.
Vanguard reports that suspicion was, however, raised when the priest in charge of the church noticed the object and immediately sensed danger.
He was said to have ordered everyone to vacate the area and keep a safe distance, warning that the object could be an explosive device.
Realising the gravity of the situation, the priest reportedly proceeded to a military formation within Aba metropolis to alert security authorities.
Shortly after, soldiers were deployed to the church premises and swiftly evacuated the object, preventing what residents described as a “near-disaster.”
An eyewitness said, “The road, which divides the church building and the parsonage is being expanded by the state government. The church decided to remove the old fence and build a new one to make way for the expansion of the road. It was while the church members were digging the ground for the new fence that they dug out the metal object which nobody knew was a bomb. The pastor later invited soldiers who evacuated the object."
Following the evacuation, sympathisers, traders and residents who had converged around the scene expressed deep gratitude that the object did not explode.
They noted that the area is usually crowded with traders, church members, motorists and passersby on a daily basis, warning that the consequences would have been devastating if the bomb had detonated.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Aba Area Conference of the United Evangelical Church (UEC), Rev. Thompson Ikpeoha, confirmed the incident but said details were still sketchy.
Efforts to reach the Army Public Relations Officer of the 14 Brigade, Ohafia, for official comments were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of press time.