Authorities Shut School Over Bomb Scare In Southeast Nigeria
The Abia State Government has shut down a primary school in the state, after devices, suspected to be explosives were found on the school premises.
Authorities in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria, say they have temporarily closed down a primary school in the state following a bomb scare.
John Kalu, Abia State Commissioner for Information, in a statement on Thursday, said an alarm was raised on the discovery of some items suspected to be explosives at the premises of Union Primary School, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state.
Kalu assured that security agencies were on the ground to uncover the origin of the suspected explosives as well as its “nature.”
“Abia State Government is currently working with relevant security agencies in the state to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices found at Union Primary School, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area,” he said.
Kalu said that while the explosives, upon the first examination appeared to belong to the civil war era, the government still awaits confirmation from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) of the Nigeria Police.
“While initial examination of the devices shows evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era, we are awaiting a definite official report from the EOD squad of the Nigeria Police who are currently investigating the incident,” he said.
He also pointed out that the state governor had taken the “necessary” security measures by temporarily closing down the school, adding that the governor has ordered proactive checks on other places in the state which may be susceptible to attacks.
“Meanwhile, necessary measures have been taken to protect the pupils and staff of the school with security sweeps ongoing while the school is temporarily closed,” the Commissioner said.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations out of an abundance of caution.”
“While we are grateful to God that there is no harm to life or property, we urge citizens and residents to continue to maintain vigilance and report suspicious situations to security agents.”
The governor had on Monday, April 8 imposed a curfew on two major towns in the state, Aba and Umuahia.
He only cited “security reports received from multiple sources” as the reason behind his decision to impose a curfew on the two cities.
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