False bomb threat causes panic in Jos, police confirm no explosives found

Early Tuesday morning, residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital, were thrown into panic after rumors spread that a bomb had been planted in the busy Terminus area.

The scare prompted people to flee the neighborhood, fearing for their safety, but the Plateau State Police Command has since dismissed the reports as a false alarm.

According to Alfred Alabo, the State Police Public Relations Officer, the situation began when authorities were alerted to a suspected explosive device in the vicinity of Murtala Mohammed Way, next to the old JUTH (Jos University Teaching Hospital) fence.

“In the early hours of today, the 12th day of November 2024, at exactly 08:20 am, the Plateau State Police Command received a report of a shallow dug hole suspected to be planted with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED),” Alabo said.

As the rumor spread rapidly via social media, local residents rushed to safety, causing significant disruption in the area.

In response, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, took swift action. “Upon receiving this report, the Commissioner immediately ordered the Area Commander Metro and the Officer in Charge of the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, aka Anti-Bomb Squad, to mobilize a team of bomb technicians to the scene,” Alabo continued.

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“They worked alongside the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), ‘C’ Division, to assess the situation and take necessary actions.”

Upon arrival, the police quickly cordoned off the area and conducted a thorough inspection. After a detailed examination, the police confirmed that the hole posed no danger and was free of any explosives. “The hole was found to be safe and free of any explosive devices,” Alabo confirmed.

Commissioner Adesina, accompanied by other senior officers, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.

The police have since reassured the public that there is no threat to the community. “The CP commends the people of Plateau State for being security conscious and cooperating with the police throughout the exercise,” Alabo added. “He urges them to go about their normal business activities without fear, as the area is safe and free of any threats to lives and properties.”

One local business owner, Cynthia Ukachukwu, whose shop is near the suspected bomb site, recounted the tense moments of the morning.

“I was in the market very early this morning to receive my goods,” she said while speaking with reporters. “At about 8 am, I saw people hurrying about; when I asked what had happened, I heard there was a bomb close to the old JUTH.”

She explained that police and other security agencies had instructed shop owners to vacate their premises as a precautionary measure.

“They asked us to vacate our shops, which we did, but as I am speaking with you now (11:25 am), I am back in my shop because the police allowed us to return. Nobody is running here; everywhere is calm.”

The false alarm has stirred memories of the tragic bomb blasts that occurred in the same area in 2014, which claimed lives and left many injured. The 2014 attacks have remained a painful chapter for residents, some of whom still bear the emotional and physical scars of that day.

Despite the earlier panic, the situation has now returned to normal, and the Plateau State Police have urged the public to remain vigilant but not to be alarmed by unfounded rumors.

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