Security agents reportedly arrested a suspected bomber, who attempted to smuggle hand grenades and ammunition into a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Monday morning.

According to reports, the unidentified suspect made it past the gates of the Radio House compound in the capital city and was making his way towards where the ministers were waiting before the briefing.

The press briefings, held daily for the past two weeks, is organised by the Federal Ministry of Information in preparation for Democracy Day 2012 and gives ministers the opportunity to present their achievements since their assumption in office.

According to the AP reports, the suspect was stopped in time before he could approach the ministers. News footage aired on state-run media showed the arrested suspect sitting on the ground next to a handbag containing high grade explosives and rifle rounds.

Answering rounds of questions from journalists, the man claimed he was only visiting from a neighbouring state and was sent to deliver the explosive female handbag to someone inside the ongoing press briefing.

Minister of Justice Bello Adoke, Aviation Minister Stella Oduah and Bolaji Abdullahi, the Youth Development and Sports Minister went ahead with the televised presentations despite the security threat.