Security forces in Bamenda safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED), which MMI earlier reported was found hidden in a suspicious roadside bag.
What began as a suspicion of a misplaced bag quickly escalated into a potentially deadly situation in Meta Quarter, Bamenda, causing commotion and a blockade of roads leading to the area this Saturday morning.
The bag, initially thought to contain harmless items, was later confirmed to hold an explosive device.
Initially dismissed as containing refuge, the bag revealed a chilling surprise upon closer inspection.
Inside, authorities found a gas cylinder, suggesting a deliberate attempt at causing harm rather than mere negligence.
After hours of intense efforts by elements of the Gendarmerie, the Police, and the Military, the explosive was successfully detonated, averting a potential catastrophy.
The detonation, while successful, resulted in collateral damage, shattering the window panes of a nearby microfinance institution and a barber’s shop.
Investigators recovered black stones and a mobile phone scattered in the vicinity, indicating they were components of the explosive device.
No one could tell the masterminds behind the IED-loaded bag, but suspicions point it to separatists, who have used IEDs in the recent past to target security and defence officers and disrupt normal activities.
Authorities have issued a stern warning in the wake of the incident, urging heightened vigilance among residents of Bamenda, a city that has been prone to separatists’ attacks for nearly seven years now.
Security officers advised people to thoroughly inspect their surroundings, particularly at their workplaces and shops, and report any suspicious items or activities immediately.
©Mimi Mefo Info – Bamenda Security Forces
