Five days after a dynamite explosion near the Presidential Hotel on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the prime suspect remains hospitalised under heavy police security at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
The explosion, which occurred last Tuesday, seriously injured the carrier, allegedly during a protest over the tenure of local government chairmen in the state. Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the State Commissioner for Health, alerted hospitals on Tuesday night to watch for patients with ‘traumatically dismembered upper limbs’ and to inform the government immediately.
On Wednesday morning, a patient fitting this description was reported at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Dr. Oreh said the patient was brought in unconscious by friends who claimed he was in a road accident. However, doctors quickly identified the injuries as consistent with a blast rather than a traffic accident.
A visit to the hospital on Sunday afternoon revealed a significant police presence. Patrol vans were stationed at the Moscow Road junction leading to the hospital, at the facility’s main entrance, and near the emergency ward. Armed policemen manned these strategic locations, closely monitoring visitors’ movements.
Although there were no restrictions on hospital access, security personnel were vigilant, especially since last Wednesday when the suspect was found. The Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the heightened security due to the suspect’s presence and ongoing investigations.
Last Friday, the police announced a comprehensive investigation to determine the explosion’s cause and circumstances, ensuring the safety of Rivers State residents and visitors. The police thanked the public for providing information and urged anyone who sees a suspicious object to evacuate the area and contact authorities immediately.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, accused the opposition of sponsoring the suspected bomber to justify calls for a state of emergency amid his conflict with political mentor, Nyesom Wike. Fubara claimed the opposition chose Hotel Presidential for the dynamite because federal lawmakers were lodging there. He alleged the plan was to use the explosion to support the state of emergency during a federal legislative session.
Governor Fubara emphasized that divine intervention prevented a larger disaster, asserting that the incident demonstrated divine protection over his administration. He reassured the public that ongoing efforts would bring clarity to the situation, with further updates as investigations progress.