Pupils Unknowingly Detonate Explosive Devise in Benue School
….seven injured, hospitalised
Seven pupils of LGEA Primary School, Ater in Ukum Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state have reportedly sustained varying degree of injuries and hospitalised after an explosive devise detonated while they were busy playing with it.
It was gathered that the victims, including Abigail Terseer, a Primary Five pupil along with William Msaaga and Tyolumun Deborah all of Primary Six as well as Terseer Mhenuter, Primary Three; Mzungwega Mnengeuter and Aondohemba Luper of Primary Two and One respectively, found the device in one of the classrooms probably left behind by security personnel during one of their operations againt bandits in the area.
The source stated that the pupils while ignorantly playing with the device pull off the safety pin and it detonated injuring seven of them.
Confirming the development, the Education Secretary of Ukum LGA, Felix Igbanongo said the incident occurred Tuesday on the school’s premises.
He said: “The little kids went to school early in the morning and they saw a device and started playing with it. Not knowing what it is, they played with it until one of them began to remove the pin.
“The thing blasted so loudly that the villagers on hearing the explosion scampered in different directions out of fear, thinking it was an attack. Not until they discovered that it was there children who were already lying unconscious on the ground. But thank God none is dead.
“As to who dropped the device, we cannot tell for now because we are not sure where it came from. But the Local Government Chairman took all of them to St. Anthony’s Hospital Zaki Biam for medical attention.
“One of them whose eyes were seriously injured has been referred to Makurdi for proper treatment and the Chairman is personally taking the pupil to Makurdi for the treatment.”
The Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, in company of the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu also led a team to visit hospitalised pupils.
At the hospital Dr. Adagba explained that the delegation was there to assess the condition of the affected pupils.
While lamenting the incident Dr. Adagba said, “these children are very dear to us and to the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia. We are here to ensure that their situation improves, that they are in good health condition and that they are taken back to school as soon as possible.”
The SUBEB Chairman said the team would also assess the level of damage to the school assuring that immediate steps would be taken to commence repairs on the school facility.
On her part, Dr. Adamu appreciated the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Council, Jonathan Modi for his prompt intervention in ensuring the well being of the children.
She also commended the management of St. Anthony’s Hospital for giving the pupils timely medical attention and prayed God to grant them speedy recovery.
Earlier, the Council Chairman disclosed that investigations were ongoing to ascertain the source of the explosion.
He explained that he was away on official assignment when the incident occurred but immediately directed that the victims be taken to a good hospital for urgent treatment. He further revealed that “three of the victims are already set to be discharged, while one with a severe eye injury would be referred to Makurdi for specialized care.”
The Managing Director of St. Anthony’s Hospital, Rev. Sr. Susan Tonguve confirmed that the children had been stabilized with only one still facing a serious eye challenge. She assured that the hospital was doing everything possible to give them the best and effective medical attention.
Responding on behalf of parents of the affected children, Mr. Mnzungwega Yongo, appreciated the Benue State Government for responding immediately to the situation.
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent, DSP, Udeme Edet who confirmed the incident added that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team was immediately deployed to the school to assess the environment.
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