Car bomb explodes in Kogi, suspect arrested

An exploded car

LOKOJA — A car carrying explosive devices, yesterday July 14, 2012, exploded along Okene-Obehira road just by The Living Faith Church in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The blast came on the heels of apprehension occasioned by alleged rumour from a pastor in the area of an intending attack on some locations in the state by members of the Boko Haram group.

The Kogi State Police Command spokesman, Mr Ile Simon, who confirmed the explosion in Lokoja, said the suspect was driving in a car and heading towards the church when he was accosted by security men. Ile said that it was while the suspect was still undergoing screening that a “big” explosion occurred.

He said the security men deployed to the church then arrested the suspect before he could escape.  He added that no report of death was received but some people were being treated for shock and injuries from the stampede that followed the blast.

But another eye witness claimed that the occupants of the said vehicle were apparently waiting for the church service to end before carrying out their attack when they were accosted by the manager of the NNPC filling station where the vehicle was parked to move the car away.

The source added that it was in the process of moving the vehicle from the station that it exploded, though he said there was no casualty aside the occupant of the car

Simon said one person had been arrested in connection with the incident and was being interrogated while the security agents were on the trail of another suspect who was said to have escaped.