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Mystery bag triggers panic at the US Embassy in Lagos

By Odita Sunday
23 March 2017   |   3:47 pm
A mystery bag which was allegedly abandoned in a vehicle at the premises of the United States Embassy in Lagos Thursday triggered fear and apprehension among visa seekers, visitors and staff of the embassy.

The contents of the bag

A mystery bag which was allegedly abandoned in a vehicle at the premises of the United States Embassy in Lagos Thursday triggered fear and apprehension among visa seekers, visitors and staff of the embassy.

News of a supposed abandoned bomb soon made the rounds after the bag was discovered by one of the security guards attached to the embassy.

Visitors and visa applicants, as well as the staff of the embassy, ran for cover to avoid being caught up in the event of an explosion.

The unfortunate incident caused huge pandemonium at the Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, as drivers made quick U-turn when they heard the news.

No sooner than the news went viral, a combined team of anti-riot policemen from the Anti-Bomb Unit of the Lagos State Police Command and mobile policemen were drafted to the area.

Policemen cordoned off the entire area while detectives from the anti-bomb unit went in to ascertain the nature of the IED. Minutes later, the police team along with some officials of the embassy left.

However, Lagos State commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni dismissed speculations that the abandoned bag contained explosives. Owoseni insisted that there was no bomb planted at the American Embassy in the state.

He disclosed that the suspected bag kept in one of the vehicles at the Consular General office, Victoria Island, only contained medical equipment.

“We got a call at about 7.40am this morning concerning the strange bag. I immediately dispatched the anti-bomb team, marine police and anti-terrorist personnel to the scene.“The anti-bomb team professionally removed the bag from the vehicle. After scanning the bag, they discovered that all items inside were medical tools.

“We are, however, investigating the reason why the bag was left there and who is the owner. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

“We want to also allay the fear of people in Lagos and the diplomatic community that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the America Embassy in Lagos.

“The police in Lagos assures foreigners and citizens of their safety. We are ever ready to live up to our constitutional responsibilities.

“Since the bag was removed from the embassy, normal activities have resumed,” Owoseni said.

Owoseni displayed the content of the bag before newsmen. It included bandages, scissors, plaster among others. The bag with the contents was taken to the anti-bomb office for further investigation.

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