Mystery bag triggers panic at U.S. Embassy in Lagos

It is not a bomb, says police commissioner

A mystery bag, which was allegedly abandoned in a vehicle on the premises of the United States Embassy in Lagos yesterday, triggered fear among visa seekers, visitors and embassy workers.

This is coming a day after London terror attack left four people dead and at least, 40 persons injured after an attacker drove a car along a pavement in Westminster, stabbed a policeman and was shot dead by police in the grounds of the Parliament.

News of an abandoned bomb immediately went viral soon after the bag was discovered by one of the security guards attached to the embassy. Visitors and visa applicants as well as employees of the embassy ran for their dear lives to avoid being caught up in the event of an explosion.

The incident created a hysteria and caused huge pandemonium at the Walter Carrington crescent, Victoria Island axis where the embassy is located, as drivers made swift u-turn as the rumour mill went agog.

Immediately, a combined team of anti-riot policemen from the Anti-Bomb Unit of the state command and mobile policemen were drafted to the scene. Policemen cordoned off the area while detectives went in to ascertain the nature of the IED.

Minutes later, the police team along with some officials of the embassy left. Addressing newsmen on the development, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, dismissed it as a bomb scare.

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, in Victoria Island, only contained medical equipment.

“We got a call around 7:40a.m. yesterday 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 the owner is. We don’t want to leave anything to chance.

We want to also allay the fears 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 assure foreigners and citizens of their safety. We are ever ready to live up to our constitutional responsibilities. Since the bag was removed, normal activities have resumed,” he said.

Owoseni displayed the content of the bag before newsmen, which included bandages, scissors, plaster among others.