At this stage, police believe dissident Republican groups are responsible.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson provided an update about the attack on Lurgan police station on Monday night.
He said: “At approximately 10.30pm last night a fast food delivery driver was making a delivery in Deramore Drive in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan when he was hijacked by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a pistol.
“The man placed an object in the boot of his white Audi A4 car, registration number SB60 LUY and the driver was ordered to drive it to Lurgan police station or he would be killed. The car was driven to the station, where the driver escaped and bravely ran to security staff telling them that there was a bomb in the car, a horrific and terrible ordeal for him.
“A significant policing operation has been put in place overnight, with around 100 homes in the area being evacuated and residents moved to the local rest centre at Lurgan Town Hall.”
He added: “Ammunition Technical officers carried out a controlled explosion to make the vehicle safe, and we now know that this was a crude but viable improvised explosive device. As unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery driver, our security staff and the local community.”
The incident sparked a major security alert during which around 100 homes evacuated. Several streets were cordoned off while bomb disposal experts examined the vehicle.
The roads in the centre of the town reopened later on Tuesday morning, and residents were able to return to their homes, while the white Audi was taken away at around 11am.
A cordon at the front gate of the police station was removed at around midday following a final finger-tip search of the front section by a number of officers.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn described it as “reckless act of violence”.
He said: “There is no place for this in Northern Ireland, and those responsible must be held to account.”
Police thanked the local community for their support and appealed for anyone with information to contact them.
““Our investigation, led by specialist detectives from our Terrorism Investigation Unit, is underway and we would appeal to anyone who may have seen the hijacked vehicle in the Kilwilkie Estate or Lurgan town centre between 10.30pm and 10.50pm to contact us,” said Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson.
Bomb squad at the scene outside police station in Co Armagh
NI Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.
“There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.
“I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.”
Posting to social media, local MP Carla Lockhart said: “This is not something anyone wants to see in our society today. The situation is deeply concerning, and I would strongly urge anyone who may have any information to come forward and report it to the PSNI immediately.
“I want to utterly and unequivocally condemn what has happened tonight in Lurgan.
Officers at the scene outside police station in Co Armagh
“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted, and we hope for a safe and swift resolution.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed the alert was underway shortly after midnight; “Members of the public are asked to avoid the Church Place area of Lurgan due to an ongoing security alert, this morning.
Bomb squad at the scene outside police station in Co Armagh (Photo: Kevin Scott/BelfastTelegraph)
Today’s news in 90 Seconds – Tuesday, March 31
“Cordons are in place, and an evacuation operation is due to get underway.”