Delivery driver forced at gunpoint to take object to police station

Irish nationalist militants were likely behind the hijacking and planting of an improvised explosive device inside a food delivery van that was ordered to be taken to a Northern Ireland police station before being secured, police said.

The fast food delivery driver had to be stopped by two masked men at around 10.30pm on Monday and headed towards the police station in Lurgan, Co Armagh, about 18 miles from Belfast.

Police said the man fled the car and alerted security personnel that the hijackers had placed an object in the trunk.

While a controlled explosion was carried out to make the device safe, more than 100 houses in the vicinity were evacuated. Church Place, Church Walk and Wellington Street are currently closed to traffic, as are parts of Market Street, William Street and North Street.

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long described the incident as a “shameful and dangerous attack”.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said the incident “bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, possibly carried out by dissident republicans”.

“Our investigation is still in its early stages but we believe opposition Republican groups are responsible,” Deputy Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement. he said.

“We now know that this was a crude but workable IED. Although unsophisticated, it posed a significant risk to the lives of the terrified delivery worker, our security staff and the local community.”

Mr Henderson previously told the BBC: “At around 10.30pm last night, a fast food delivery driver was driving his white Audi car in the Deramore Drive area of ​​Kilwilkie in Lurgan.

“In a horrific development, the driver was forced to stop his vehicle and was threatened at gunpoint, the hijackers then placed an object inside the vehicle and the driver was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station.”

Mr Henderson said the officer went to the station and then notified the police.

He added: “There has since been a really significant police operation which we have co-ordinated throughout the night to make sure the car and its occupants are safe and secure.

“This situation led to the evacuation of many houses in the area.

“Clearly an absolutely horrifying ordeal for the poor guy who had to drive, and a hugely devastating and distressing incident for the local community in Lurgan.

“Our specialized terrorism investigation unit is conducting the investigation into this matter.”

Ms Long said: “This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and disrupted and disrupted the local community.

“There is absolutely no room for this reckless and disgusting behavior.

“I commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are with everyone who suffered this vile attack.”

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: “This is an extremely serious and deeply worrying situation for the people of Lurgan.

“Public safety must always come first and I would urge everyone to follow the advice of the PSNI and avoid the area while investigations are ongoing.

“I recognize the serious disruption this will cause for local residents, businesses and those traveling through the town, but these measures are necessary to keep everyone safe.”

Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd said: “This has caused huge disruption to local families and businesses.

“I hope the city will return to normal as soon as possible.

Nobody wants to return to such scenes and we are waiting for the results of the vehicle investigations.

“I want to thank everyone who helped and offered shelter to the affected families.”