A fast food delivery driver endured a terrifying ordeal when armed hijackers forced him at gunpoint to drive to a police station with a “crude but viable” explosive device hidden in his car. This alarming attack on Monday night ignited a major security operation in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Mass Evacuations and Road Closures Shake Lurgan
In the wake of the hijacking, roughly 100 homes in Lurgan were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Multiple key roads, including Church Place, Church Walk, Wellington Street, Market Street, William Street, and North Street, remained closed until Tuesday morning to ensure public safety.
Justice Minister Condemns ‘Shameful and Dangerous’ Attack
Naomi Long, Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister, condemned the incident as a “shameful and dangerous attack” that threatened lives and disrupted the local community. She praised the swift and professional response of the police officers who intervened and extended her sympathies to everyone affected by this reprehensible act.
Details of the Hijacking and Explosive Threat
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson revealed the driver was stopped around 10:30 pm while driving his white Audi A4. Two masked men hijacked the vehicle; one was armed with a pistol. The armed man placed an improvised explosive device in the car’s boot and forced the driver to deliver the vehicle to Lurgan police station under threat of death.
Upon arrival, the driver courageously escaped and alerted security staff about the bomb, enduring what ACC Henderson described as a “horrific and terrible ordeal.”
Controlled Explosion Confirms Viable Bomb
Bomb disposal experts conducted a controlled explosion to neutralize the threat. Although the device was unsophisticated, it posed a serious danger to the delivery driver, security personnel, and local residents.
ACC Henderson emphasized that dissident Republicans are “highly likely” to be behind the attack, adding that such violent acts lack community support and only fuel fear and disruption.
Political Leaders Demand Accountability
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn labelled the attack a “reckless act of violence” and declared on social media that there is “no place for this in Northern Ireland,” insisting the perpetrators must face justice.
Ongoing Investigation by Terrorism Unit
The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s specialist terrorism unit is actively investigating the incident to bring those responsible to account and prevent future attacks.
