Seven pupils injured as explosive device detonates in Benue school

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

MAKURDI — Seven pupils of LGEA Primary School, Ater, successful Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, sustained varying degrees of injuries connected Tuesday aft an explosive instrumentality detonated portion they were unknowingly playing with it.

The victims — identified arsenic Abigail Terseer (Primary Five), William Msaaga and Tyolumun Deborah (Primary Six), Terseer Mhenuter (Primary Three), Mzungwega Mnengeuter (Primary Two), and Aondohemba Luper (Primary One) — reportedly recovered the instrumentality successful 1 of the classrooms, suspected to person been near down by information operatives during operations against bandits successful the area.

A root said the children, unaware of the danger, pulled disconnected the information pin, triggering a large detonation that injured each seven.

Confirming the incident, the Education Secretary of Ukum LGA, Felix Igbanongo, said panic gripped villagers who mistook the blast for an attack.

“The small kids went to schoolhouse aboriginal successful the greeting and recovered a device. Not knowing what it was, they played with it until 1 of them removed the pin. The detonation was truthful large that villagers ran successful antithetic directions. Thank God nary of the children died,” helium said.

Igbanongo added that the victims were rushed to St. Anthony’s Hospital, Zaki Biam, for treatment. One pupil with a superior oculus wounded was aboriginal referred to Makurdi for specialized care.

Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, and Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, visited the infirmary alongside different officials to measure the pupils’ condition.

Dr. Adagba expressed concern, assuring that the authorities would enactment their betterment and repair schoolhouse facilities damaged by the incident. “These children are precise beloved to america and to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. We are present to guarantee they person due attraction and instrumentality to schoolhouse soon,” she said.

Dr. Adamu commended the Ukum LGA Chairman, Jonathan Modi, for his swift intervention, arsenic good arsenic the absorption of St. Anthony’s Hospital for providing timely aesculapian attention.

The LGA Chairman disclosed that investigations were ongoing to hint the root of the explosive. He confirmed that 3 pupils were already acceptable for discharge, portion 1 remained successful captious condition.

The hospital’s Managing Director, Rev. Sr. Susan Tonguve, confirmed the children had been stabilized, noting that lone 1 was inactive facing a terrible oculus challenge.

Parents of the victims, represented by Mr. Mnzungwega Yongo, thanked the authorities authorities for its punctual response.

Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, besides confirmed the incident, adding that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad had been deployed to the schoolhouse to measure the environment.

The station Seven pupils injured arsenic explosive instrumentality detonates successful Benue school appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.