By Evelyn Usman
Motor Ways complex, housing several companies in Alausa area of Lagos, was in disarray, yesterday, as workers hurriedly vacated their offices, following threat of an imminent bomb explosion in the complex.

Information gathered revealed that an anonymous  letter informing every occupant to vacate the complex within 12 hours was found inside one of the toilets.

A ruse, says Police
However, Lagos State Police Command has dismissed the information with a wave of the hand, informing that it was a ploy by some unscrupulous and mischievous individuals to cause unnecessary panic in the state.
Nevertheless, the Command boss, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, said the Command had begun investigation. “As Police, we investigate first before stating our position,” he said.

News of the letter which threw the entire complex  into panic reportedly filtered in at about 1p.m., thereby causing a stampede as workers rushed out of their respective offices. Owners of vehicles as well as customers who had gone for one transaction or the other drove out in fear.

Road users as well as road side hawkers were not left out in the race for life as they  avoided the route.
Although some of the workers dispelled the letter as mere rumour, none was bold enough to remain in the complex.

Some workers who spoke to Vanguard, on condition of anonymity said the magnitude of the situation became glaring when Policemen from bomb squad arrived the complex and urged everybody to leave. The operatives were said to have combed the entire complex with their gadgets to ascertain the claim.

However, as at 5.30p.m., an unconfirmed report said a suspected explosive substance was found. Operatives from Bomb Squad were said to have continued with their search until 6.30p.m.

Those who claimed to have seen the letter said its content which was in capital letter read: ‘Vacate this complex within twelve hours to avoid being victim of  bomb explosion’ Others however claimed the content read, ‘ we are going to blow up this place, leave within twelve hours’. A third version claimed people were advised to vacate the area particularly at the weekend.

Already, embassies have started calling on the police to ascertain whether text messages sent by unknown persons informing of an imminent bomb explosion in the state was true.

Maintaining the command’s position, its boss, Akpoyibo, reassured Lagosians of their safety, saying the command would leave up to its constitutional responsibility, advising them to go about their legal businesses without fear.