October 22, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Army, 6 Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt, has cautioned residents of Rivers State against handling unidentified explosive materials, following the discovery of an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) at Oromeruzimagu Community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
A statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Danjuma, said the explosive device was found by community members who were digging a grave in preparation for a burial within a residential compound.
Danjuma revealed that in an attempt to prevent detonation, the locals moved the device to an air-conditioned room — a move the Army described as risky and unsafe.
“The act calls for utmost caution, as handling such sensitive military-grade ordnance requires technical expertise and professional equipment”, he said.
Danjuma urged members of the public to immediately report any discovery of suspected explosive materials to the nearest security agency or Army formation rather than attempting to move or tamper with such items.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, commended the community for their vigilance and timely report of the incident.
He assured residents that a team of trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts from the Division had been deployed to the area to ensure the safe evacuation and disposal of the device.
Major General Emekah reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the safety and security of citizens in the Niger Delta region, noting that the military would continue to respond swiftly to potential threats within its operational areas.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety of all communities within its area of responsibility. We encourage residents to always cooperate with security agencies for prompt and professional response to such incidents”, he added.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
