A catastrophic explosion at the Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, nestled within the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has left a trail of devastation. The blast, which occurred on Monday, claimed two lives and inflicted injuries on two others. Eyewitnesses allege that the bomb responsible for this tragedy was brought to the school premises by a student.
According to accounts from the scene, the student reportedly arrived from Katsina State just a day prior to the calamity. The explosive device detonated as the student, seemingly unaware of its deadly potential, displayed it to another child within the school. The boy holding the bomb was killed instantly, while the other child succumbed to injuries later at a hospital.
Among the survivors are a young girl, currently under medical care at the Kubwa General Hospital, and another boy who has been transferred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for further treatment. Heart-wrenching images from the aftermath of the incident have surfaced, depicting the horrific extent of the damage caused by the explosion.
The FCT Police Command has since sealed off the school premises, initiating a thorough investigation into the incident. However, contrasting narratives have emerged regarding the origins of the explosive. While eyewitnesses attribute the device to the student, a statement from the FCT Police Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, suggests otherwise.
Adeh revealed that preliminary findings indicate three men, allegedly hailing from Katsina, visited the school’s proprietor, Mallam Adamu Ashimu. These individuals are suspected of introducing the improvised explosive device (IED) into the school. Tragically, two of the men lost their lives while tampering with the device on the school’s veranda. The third individual, along with a female trader, sustained severe injuries and remains hospitalized under police watch.
“The remnants of the device, confirmed to be an IED by the FCT Bomb Squad, have been recovered,” Adeh stated. She assured the public that investigations are ongoing, with the school owner currently in police custody for questioning.
In a public advisory, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, called for heightened vigilance. He urged residents to promptly report any suspicious activities, individuals, or items that may resemble explosive devices. The chilling incident has sparked concerns over security measures in educational establishments, underscoring the urgent need for preventative strategies to safeguard lives.
