A report that a car laden with explosive devices had been abandoned at AP Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja, caused panic in the area on Friday.
Workers in the building and those of a new generation bank located beside it were evacuated and the area cordoned off by security operatives.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rumour soon spread to other parts of the city, prompting the police to issue a statement asking the residents to ignore the report.
A security guard at the plaza told NAN that the rumour began after passers-by noticed a wire running from the boot to the driver's seat in the car in front of the bank.
According to the guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the car had been parked there since Thursday.
“So when we got close to the car and found a wire running from the boot to the driver's seat, we suspected something and decided to alert the police.
“They came with their anti-bomb squad but found nothing. The car and its owner were taken away by the police,'' he said.
NAN learnt that the car developed a fault after the owner had gone to the bank on Thursday night to withdraw some money with his ATM card.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command has urged residents of the territory to ignore the rumour and go about their business without fear.
Mr Jimoh Moshood, the spokesman of the command, said the anti-bomb squad deployed to the scene found no explosives.
“The vehicle and the owner are now with police investigators. The area is safe, security in the area (AP Plaza) and other locations in the FCT have been beefed up,'' he said.
Moshood also urged the people to report any suspicious movement of persons in their area to the nearest police stations or call 0803200913 or 08061581938.
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