The PSNI has said that a “crude but viable” explosive device was driven to Lurgan Police Station last night after a food delivery driver’s car was hijacked, in what it described as “highly likely” a dissident Republican attack.
In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said that the incident took place at 10:30PM last night.
“At approximately 10.30pm last night, Monday 30 March, a fast food delivery driver was making a delivery in Deramore Drive in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan when he was hijacked by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a pistol.
“The men placed an object in the boot of the white Audi A4 car and the driver was ordered to drive it to Lurgan Police Station or he would be killed. The car was driven to the station where the driver escaped and ran to security staff, telling them that there was a bomb in the car,” ACC Henderson said.
Around 100 homes in the area were evacuated and residents moved to a rest centre at Lurgan Town Hall as part of the policing response.
A controlled explosion was carried out to render the vehicle safe.
“We now know that this was a crude, but viable improvised explosive device,” ACC Henderson said, adding “as unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery worker, our security staff and the local community”.
“This was a reckless and cowardly attack. Our investigation is in its early stages but, at this stage, we believe it’s highly likely that dissident Republican groups are responsible,” he said.
Commenting on the incident, First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill said that those responsible for the hijacking of a delivery driver and the attack on the PSNI station in Lurgan “have nothing to offer our communities but harm, fear, and disruption”.
“I’ve spoken with the Assistant Chief Constable and local representatives to offer my full support, and to thank them for their work in supporting those impacted in the local community,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said that she “utterly condemned” the hijacking and the placement of the device outside the station.
“Such actions are deeply disturbing and serve no purpose other than to endanger lives and hold society back,” Ms Little-Pengelly said.
Investigations are ongoing.