Masked Men Hijack Car and Force Driver to Deliver Bomb to Police Station in Lurgan
In a shocking incident that has rattled the community, masked men hijacked a car, placed a "crude but viable" explosive device inside, and forced the occupant to drive the vehicle to a police station in Northern Ireland on Monday. This brazen act prompted a major security alert and the evacuation of approximately 100 homes, according to police reports.
Details of the Terrifying Ordeal
The hijackers, one of whom was armed with a gun, stopped a white Audi in the Kilwilkie estate of Lurgan, County Armagh, at around 10:30 PM. They placed the device in the boot and ordered the occupant, a fast-food delivery driver, to drive to the police station on Church Road, which is about a mile away. The driver complied, parked the car at the station, and immediately raised the alarm, escaping to alert security staff.
Ryan Henderson, an assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, described the event as an "absolutely terrifying ordeal" for the driver and a "hugely disruptive and distressing event" for the local community. He provided an update, stating that the driver was making a delivery in Deramore Drive when he was hijacked by two masked men, one armed with a pistol. The driver was threatened with death if he did not follow orders to drive to Lurgan police station.
Police Response and Community Impact
Authorities swiftly evacuated dozens of nearby homes and opened Lurgan town hall to accommodate displaced residents. A significant policing operation was implemented overnight, with ammunition technical officers carrying out a controlled explosion to neutralize the suspicious device. Henderson confirmed that the device was an improvised explosive device, posing a significant risk to the driver, security staff, and the community.
Naomi Long, Northern Ireland's justice minister, condemned the attack, calling it "shameful and dangerous" and emphasizing that it put lives at risk and caused disruption. Carla Lockhart, a Democratic Unionist MP representing the constituency, criticized those responsible, accusing them of trying to drag Lurgan back to the Troubles and stating that the community has moved on and rejects such violence.
Historical Context and Condemnation
The tactic of forcing individuals to transport bombs dates back to the Provisional IRA in 1990, with dissident republicans occasionally replicating it, often using hoax devices. In this case, there was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion has fallen on dissident republican groups.
John O'Dowd, a Sinn Féin Stormont assembly member, offered solidarity to the driver and condemned the incident, asserting that those behind it represent no one but themselves and are isolated from the community. He affirmed that progress in Lurgan will not be hindered by such actions.
As of Tuesday morning, some streets in Lurgan remained closed as police continued their investigation into the scene, underscoring the ongoing impact of this alarming event on public safety and community cohesion.
