Residents of Enugu has been gripped by anxiety over a suspected bomb attack at the national secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the town.The suspected explosion reportedly took place during the weekend but led to tension in the Coal City as news of the incident became public on Tuesday.The explosion, which was said to be the handiwork of suspected arsonists, armed with improvised explosives devices, destroyed some parts of the building.
Our correspondent, who visited the secretariat, observed that the ceiling of the main hall, where major meetings of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo takes place, was particularly affected by the fire which allegedly followed the explosion.
It was gathered that the fire was subsequently put off by security personnel at the secretariat, who were at the location when the incident occurred.
One of the security men, who pleaded anonymity, said they chased away the arsonists, who set off the explosion.
He explained that the arsonists, who had sneaked into the building, fled after they were discovered, leaving behind items suspected to be IEDs, including cans of petrol and a bucket containing substances suspected to be carbide.
No life was lost in the incident but it was gathered that the explosion went off with a bang which rocked the entire vicinity.
The explosion will heighten tensions within the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, where the Elders Council is locked in a bitter dispute with the Chief Enwo Igariwey-led National Executive Committee over tenure in office.
The elders, led by elder statesman, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, are insisting that the executive committee’s tenure in office is two years, but the NEC is saying that the duration of its stay in office had been extended to four years, after a review carried out by the last administration.
Speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nworgu, noted that reports of the incident had been blown out of proportion.
However, he admitted that the masterminds had yet to be identified, as the police were still investigating the matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, said there was no bomb explosion at the secretariat.
He, however, admitted that there was an attempt to bomb the building.
