Rivers State Police Command has arrested three suspects believed to be connected to explosives which went off at Christain Universal Church International, located at Mile 3, Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
It was gathered that the church is run by the father of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
A local security outfit in the area foiled the suspects’ escape plan, it was gathered.
About five suspects attacked the church around 8 pm on Saturday.
Narrating the incident to the news media, the assistant chief security officer of Azikiwe Street Security Collins Johnbull said one of his men is receiving treatment after being shot while chasing the suspects.
He said, “On Saturday, 28th day of November, 2020, while I was on my duty post, we observed some movements around 8 pm to 9 pm and we were on the alert, before then we saw some strange faces, about five of them, that entered into the governor’s father’s church and we thought they were church members having their normal evening programme, but we were suspicious of them because of the way they were moving.
“About five minutes after the boys entered the church, there was an explosion, we heard a banging noise like that of a bomb from the church and we immediately approached the church and saw them (the suspects) jumping out of the church wearing masks and carrying guns and started shooting at my men.
“By God’s grace, we were able to apprehend three of the criminals that attacked the church, while two escaped. We did everything in our power to apprehend the hoodlums, as we are talking now, one of my men who was hit by a bullet is receiving treatment.”
Rivers police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the attack and arrests, adding “the church has been swept by the bomb department.”