An improvised explosive device produced an explosion that destroyed a high-tension electric transmission pole in the Unguwan Kanawa region near Bauchi’s Federal Polytechnic.
The incident was allegedly triggered by unidentified individuals who used explosives to vandalise government property.
Although there were no human casualties, a high-tension pole from the electrical transmission line was destroyed.
Ahmed Wakil, the Police Public Relations Officer for Bauchi State Command, confirmed this in a statement made accessible to journalists in the state on Saturday.
Wakil, in a statement headed ‘Destruction of public property by suspected vandals,’ stated that the event occurred Thursday night.
He said that the Chief Security Officer of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, who reported the event to the police, revealed that a loud boom was heard in the Ungwan Kanawa area.
“On February 1, 2024, at about 10 p.m., the Bauchi State Police Command received a report from the Chief Security Officer of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi indicating that on the quoted date, a loud sound was heard around an electric high-tension transmission line situated in the Anguwan Kanawa area, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis.
“Upon receiving the report, a team of police operatives, including the specialised personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemicals Biological, Radioactive, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, was drafted and deployed to the scene immediately.
“Consequently, preliminary investigation revealed that a high-tension pole collapsed and was damaged as a result of explosives used by suspected economic vandals.
“Furthermore, the vicinity was cordoned off and swept by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemicals, Biological, Radioactive, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Operatives.”
The police spokesman said that “some remnant components of improvised explosive devices were recovered from the scene.”
According to him, the state commissioner of police, Auwal Muhammad, condemned the crime and demanded a discreet and comprehensive inquiry into the matter to guarantee that the offenders were apprehended and prosecuted.
He stated that the CP has charged the people of the state to provide the police with important information that would benefit investigations and that they should not panic as a result of the occurrence but rather go about their legitimate business now that the situation has been stabilised.
“The Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, has vowed to sniff out all criminal merchants desperate to make a living on government or private property installed to improve the living conditions of citizens of the state.
“Hence, the CP sought continued collaboration and support from members of the public to secure the lives and property of the people,” Wakil said.
