Security forces remain on high alert in the North today following a series of incidents which caused traffic chaos in Belfast and Lurgan yesterday evening.
A suspicious object was found on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast earlier today leading to the closure of a local primary school. A second object was found on the Ligoniel Road in north Belfast and the road remains closed.
A security alert has also closed part of the Springfield Road near Mackie's factory.
Part of the railway line in Lurgan was closed earlier because of a burnt-out vehicle on the line. The railway line has now been cleared.
Dissident republicans are suspected of being behind a number of security alerts in nationalist parts of Belfast and Lurgan.
Armed men hijacked a number of vehicles which were then set alight during rush-hour. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) station at Tennant Street in North Belfast was closed because of a bomb alert while a number of city roads were also closed because of trouble. There was also disruption reported in Craigavon, Co Armagh where a policeman was murdered by hardline republicans earlier this month.
Politicians have been quick to condemn those responsible for last night's incidents.
“The criminal terrorists responsible for the series of bomb scares and hijackings are beneath contempt and have no support whatsoever in the community," said First Minister Peter Robinson.
Sinn Fein north Belfast Assembly member Caral Ni Chuilin said those responsible had nothing to offer and their actions were wrong and counterproductive.
“All that those, who have closed our off arterial routes are responsible for is causing disruption to these communities. This includes republican, nationalist and unionist communities but mainly, if you look at where these alerts are, it is republican communities that are being affected the most,” she said.
“I would like the spokespeople of those behind these alerts to come forward and explain how this will in any way achieve a united Ireland.”
SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said that those responsible for last night's actions were enemies of peace and progress while Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey appealed for people to remain calm and to not retaliate.
Additional reporting: PA