Nigeria Police Force Foils Bomb Attack at Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre; Explosive Ordnance Team Recovers Dangerous Materials

Nigeria Police EOD unit neutralizes explosives at Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre after foiling a planned attack. Investigation into the source of munitions underway.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 3:45 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Rapid Response to Facility Intelligence

A major security catastrophe was averted on Tuesday morning at the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre in Akwa Ibom State. The Nigeria Police Force confirmed that they foiled a sophisticated bomb attack targeting the facility after receiving critical intelligence from correctional center officials. Acting on the report, Commissioner of Police Baba Azare authorized the immediate mobilization of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit from Uyo to secure the perimeter and conduct a comprehensive sweep of the premises.

Discovery of Tactical Explosives and Tools

During the forensic search of the custodial grounds, police experts uncovered a cache of dangerous materials hidden within the premises. The recovered items included two 90mm explosive rounds, a 45-centimeter burning fuse, a short conduit pipe, and a collection of mechanical tools including pincers, a flat screwdriver, and two iron chisels. The presence of these tools suggests that the perpetrators intended to assemble or trigger the explosive device on-site to breach the facility’s security barriers.

EOD Safety Measures and Public Security

The bomb disposal experts successfully neutralized the explosives, removing any immediate threat to the lives of inmates, staff, and neighboring residents. Command spokesperson Timfon John confirmed that the munitions were safely handled and transported for further forensic analysis. In the wake of the discovery, the state command has significantly reinforced security around all correctional facilities in Akwa Ibom, implementing tighter checkpoints and high-frequency patrols to prevent any secondary attempts.