Port Harcourt, June 26 – The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police has arrested a suspect in connection with the Tuesday explosion that resulted in the death of a middle-aged man in front of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt.
The arrest was made at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where the suspect was brought for treatment.
The suspect, who was initially believed to have been injured in a road traffic accident, was taken to the hospital by several individuals. However, medical personnel quickly identified that the injuries were inconsistent with a road accident and appeared to be from a blast.
Announcing the arrest, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Adaeze Oreh, explained that the arrest was facilitated by a tip-off from the hospital staff. The suspect was semi-conscious when brought in but has since been resuscitated and is in a stable condition. The hospital environment has been secured by the state police command, which is working closely with the government and the health ministry.
“If you recall earlier today, we made a call from the Rivers State government alerting all medical facilities about a failed attempt to detonate an explosive at the presidential axis of the state,” Oreh said. “The reason for that was to ensure vigilance and a heightened sense of alert, should any individual present with injuries suggestive of a traumatic amputation of an upper limb.”
Oreh praised the heightened alertness of medical personnel, stating, “When a young man was brought to the Rivers University Teaching Hospital with an injury alleged to be from a road traffic accident, the medical personnel immediately observed that the injuries were more consistent with a blast. They promptly informed the state government and the police.”
She confirmed that the suspect is in a stable condition and receiving treatment. “The hospital and its perimeter have been fully secured. The police are conducting necessary investigations, and we seek to update the public on this matter following the earlier events today in Port Harcourt.”
Of the several individuals who brought the suspect to the hospital, one remains with him while the others fled. The state police command has yet to comment on the arrest.
This development follows an explosion in front of Hotel Presidential on Tuesday, which led to the death of a middle-aged man and heightened security concerns in the area. The police and state government are continuing their investigations to ensure public safety and bring those responsible to justice.
