There was panic at the United States (US) consulate in Lagos yesterday when a bag was found inside a vehicle.
The bag was found by a security man. The workers and visa seekers took to their heels when the security man raised the alarm.
There was pandemonium on Walter Carrington Way, Victoria Island, as drivers made frantic U-turns when they heard about the incident.
Mobile policemen and their counterparts from the Anti-bomb Squad immediately cordoned off the area. Detectives from the anti bomb unit went in to investigate.
Minutes later, the police and some embassy officials left.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni told reporters that it was not a bomb.
He said the bag contained medical equipment.
“We got a call at about 7.40am 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 fear of people in Lagos and the diplomatic community that there is no cause for alarm. There is no bomb planted at the American 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 from the embassy, normal activities have resumed,” Owoseni said.
Owoseni showed reporters the bag’s content. It included bandages, scissors, plaster among others. The bag with its content was taken to the anti-bomb office for further investigation
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