Police have debunked the claim that a suspected suicide bomber died in Afikpo Town, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday.

Loveth Odua, the Ebonyi State Police Spokesperson, explained on Tuesday that the officer identified as Idi Aminu mistakenly hit an explosive device, which exploded and killed him.

Following the explosion around 12 noon, residents of Afikpo Town, where the incident happened, panicked, describing it as failed suicide bombing attempt targeted at pupils of Amaizu/Amangbala Primary School.

The deceased was said to have been denied entry by guards after he couldn’t give a convincing reason for his visit to the school, prompting his running into a nearby bush where the bomb he had on detonated.

Several citizens of Ebonyi State had confirmed the suicide bombing narrative on the social media and to reporters. Some also disapproved of the PPRO’s explanation, claiming that the victim had no appearance of a police officer.

Similarly, the Ebonyi State Police Command confirmed the accidental shooting of another officer on Tuesday.

The affected officer is said to be receiving treatment in a hospital.