The Sokoto State Police Command on Saturday dispelled rumours of a botched bomb attack in Sokoto.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police anti bomb squad were alerted at about 1.30 pm on Saturday of a suspicious box near a major hotel in the city.

NAN gathered that the box was reportedly brought to the area by four boys, who attempted to open it.

However, the security guards attached to the hotel were said to have instantly alerted a police patrol vehicle stationed at the Dandima round about, very close to the sokoto meat and vegetable market.

The Spokesman of the command, Mr El-Mustapha Sani confirmed the removal of the box by the men of the anti-bomb unit.

'' The box was just containing some empty packs and it was thought to have been stolen from the nearby Sokoto central market by the boys.

'' Actually, our men had opened the box which was locked with a padlock and it is now in our custody, and it is not a bomb.

'' No arrest was made as the boys fled the scene, with one of them shouting bomb, apparently to divert the attention of the people, hence, evaded arrest,'' he explained.

Sani commended the security guards for alerting the police and urged residents to continue to be vigilant.

He said that people should report any suspicious items or persons at places of worship, markets, residences and other public places to security agencies.

This, the police spokesman averred, would enable the police to nip any unforeseen circumstances in the bud.

NAN reports that the bomb scare in Sokoto on Saturday came barely three hours after the Sultan of Sokoto, AlhajiSa'adAbubakar appealed to Nigerians to serve as security agent of their localities.

The sultan made the call at the 13th Annual General Meeting of Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund.

'' People should be more security conscious and always be on the red alert about the movement of any suspected persons or presence of suspicious items in their houses, Mosques, Churches, markets and other public places.

'' Nigerians also have the power to effect citizens' arrest of any suspected persons and hand him or her over to the security agencies.

'' Parents should monitor the movements of their children and wards and always know who their friends are and what they do, what they eat and when they come back home,'' he added.

According to the monarch, the parents should always ask when their children came back to their houses late at night or were exhibiting some strange behaviours. (NAN)

Update news