A bit of excitement in the Solomon Islands, on Thursday — Central Honiara !
Plenty of disruptions
“All clear given after successful defusion of bomb in centre of Honiara”
The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has given the all clear at 2.30pm this afternoon (13 September 2018) after successful diffusing an unexploded bomb in the center of Honiara near the Advanced Technology Building in the Point Cruz area.
The RSIPF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team successfully carried out the operation to render the bomb safe by defusing the projectile before safely transporting it to Hells Point in the Alligator Creek area in East of Honiara.
The operation 2018 Render Safe started this morning when more than 100 police officers walked through the streets in the Point Cruz area to advice the public to say clear of the area.
“Police would like to thank members of the public in positively responding to the call made since last night for people to stay away from the area at and surrounding where the bomb was discovered. The main street of Honiara looked like a ghost town this afternoon as people took heed of the call to safely stay away,” said Commissioner of Police, Matthew Varley.
Commissioner Varley adds: “I am very humbled by the positive response of the people. They stayed off the streets and moved from their houses and offices to safer locations when the operation was underway.”
“For those whose normal lives were disrupted by the operation, I wish to apologize for that. I believe that the operation was necessary for the safety of everyone,” says Commissioner Varley.
“Furthermore I wish to thank all the RSIPF officers especially the EOD team who took part in the successful operation for a job well done. As Commissioner I have all the confidence in the professionalism shown by the EOD team and all our officers in carrying out such an operation at short notice.”
Commissioner Varley adds: “The successful outcome of the Render Safe Operation today is a clear manifestation of the capability of the RSIPF to deal with such situations for the safety of our citizens.”
ENDS .
Captions:
1. A EOD officer displays the shell after safely rendered
2. RSIPF officers and Advisors informing public in Honiara to stay away from no go area
3. RSIPF officers present during the RSIPF Commissioner's meeting to thank officers who took part in the operation
