The Ashanti Regional Security Council says explosives found near the Deputy Regional Minister’s residence is capable of exploding in three minutes once connected.
One of the two explosives was discovered on Tuesday morning at the entrance to the official bungalow of the Deputy Minister and the other close to the building that is also near a national security building.
3news.com’s security sources had described the two objects defused by the national anti-bomb team as powerful homemade explosives.
They were two 7.5 kg LPG Cylinders filled with gas and with items like timer device, remote control, explosive boosters, detonators, dynamites and safety fuses around them, a statement by the security council said.
The statement signed by the Regional Minister John Alexander Ackon on Wednesday also said a third cylinder was taken away by persons suspected to have planted the two.
“One Cylinder had the detonator connected to the dynamite and the experts claim it will take two to three minutes to explode if the detonator is ignited by fire,” he said.
The Minister further stated, “Possible conclusions by experts is that the first could have been ignited to explode and the second one to follow to create multiple explosions or if the motive was to create higher number of injuries/casualties/damages then to ignite the detonator to explode the dynamite when people come around using the remote control.”
Below is the full statement
PRESS RELEASE ON THE DISCOVERY OF SUSPECTED IMPROVISED
EXPLOSIVE DEVICES BEHIND THE FENCE WALL OF NATIONAL
SECURITY COMMUNICATION BUILDING AND THE DEPUTY
REGIONAL MINISTER’S RESIDENCE IN KUMASI
On Monday, 31st October, 2016 at 4:25pm one Ex WOI Boadi went to 4BN and reported that two (2) boxes believed to be containing Explosives had been found behind, the fence wall of the National Security Communication Building in Kumasi. The Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister’s official residence is also located next to the building.
On receipt of the information, the Police were informed and subsequently _ Military Personnel were dispatched to the scene. The Personnel after a careful assessment of the objects in the boxes implemented a mitigating measure by packing sand bags round the boxes containing the suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The measure was to subdue the effects of explosion and absorb fragments of any possible explosion.
The area was subsequently cordoned off by the Police Personnel of the Ashanti Regional Police Command. This was done to prevent any hazard the Improvised Explosive Devices may pose to passers-by. Later on Tuesday 1s` November, 2016 an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team successfully diffused the planted Improvised Explosive Devices.
Two 7.5 kg LPG Cylinders filled with gas and the following listed items were found on them.
One Cylinder had the detonator connected to the dynamite and the experts claim it will take two to three minutes to explode if the detonator is ignited by fire.
The second cylinder had a remote control and a timer which had then not been connected. The suspicion is that the suspects who were on motor bike were planting the device around the buildings as they escaped on being questioned by the Police Guard on duty at the Deputy Minister’s residence. Possible conclusions by experts is that the first could have been ignited to explode and the second one to follow to create multiple explosions or if the motive was to create higher number of injuries/casualties/damages then to ignite the detonator to explode the dynamite when people come around using the remote control.
A third cylinder was taken away on the motor bike according to the police guard. The motive is not clear for now as investigations are proceeding but it is worthy of note that the Deputy Minister’s residence shares a common fence wall with the National Security building.
The Deputy Minister was then at home and had to leave the house when the police guard informed him whilst the national security staff were also in the building.
We urge calmness as the security operatives go about their work and the police also proceed with their investigations. For now everybody is safe and security of the Metropolis is assured.
All the items identified and listed above can be acquired locally especially from miners and stone quarry companies. Even though investigations are yet to be completed, it is believed that these items were possibly acquired locally through individuals or companies who use explosives at their work places.
We would like to inform the public that the Ashanti Regional Police Command is still investigating to unravel the motive behind it and to bring the suspects to book. The general public is therefore informed to remain calm and go about their normal duties since the security of the metropolis and the region is under control.
We count on your co-operation.
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