PANIC IN IMO: Launched Rocket Lands In Residential Area

Confusion in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State: two teenagers launched a rocket which landed in a residential area scaring the people. 

Being the students of the Federal Government College in the area, the boys launched the device as part of a science project.

Residents of the Umuchime Ubahu community thought that it was a bomb. The people who live in the house where the rocket landed called the police.

The rocket had been expected to reach a maximum distance on 5 kilometres from the launch site but it went farther, which caused panic among locals. 

Commissioner of Police Muhammad Musa Katsina, however, dispelled fears of terrorism, saying the “amateur scientists”, who launched the home-made rocket, did not mean any harm.

Katsina, however, asked the residents to stay security-conscious and report suspicious movements to the police.

“There was no terrorism motive in the act. We enjoin people to go about their activities without fear,” Katsina said.

“The rocket has been deactivated and is safe. The components as discovered by the Police Bomb Disposal Unit do not contain any radioactive or toxic element."

“Because the boys intended no harm, no punitive measures will be taken."

He called the boys talented students improving their scientific skills and recommended to encourage them so they could achieve greater things.

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