A suspicious object located in Maghera has been declared a "crude but viable device," following a forensic examination.
Police said the device was located in the Tirkane Road area.
Residents who were evacuated from their homes have now returned.
Detective Constable Ford said: “Shortly after 4:50am, police received a report of a suspicious object located in the area.
"Police attended the scene along with Ammunition Technical Officers. The object, which has been declared as a crude but viable device has been taken away for further forensic examinations."