By Tony Edike

ENUGU – ECONOMIC activities were crippled for several hours in the densely populated Abakpa Nike area of Enugu capital city yesterday, following the discovery of a strange object suspected to be a bomb.

The object was discovered near the popular ‘Total’ bus stop where commercial activities normally take place.

The news of the strange discovery caused pandemonium in the area as the residents scampered for safety, while some families evacuated children from their homes.

Some residents were said to have spotted the strange object at a hidden corner and immediately alerted the state police command which promptly deployed policemen to monitor the area.

The policemen on arrival cordoned off the area under threat and restricted movement within, leading to heavy traffic jam as road users attempted to use alternative routes.

Officials of the Anti- Bomb Squad from the state police command arrived later and took away the object.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said when contacted on the development that the police later discovered that the strange object was not a bomb but a UPS battery that must have been disposed of by someone.