Two people lost their lives on Monday, January 6, while two were injured in an explosion, suspected to be that of a bomb, which occurred at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at about 11am.
The FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, who confirmed the incident, said a team of police operatives, including the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa, swiftly mobilized to the scene after a distress call was received from the Sarki of Kuchibuyi.
“The area was immediately cordoned off to protect residents and facilitate a thorough investigation.
“During the rescue operation, victims were promptly evacuated and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that three men from Katsina had visited the owner of the Islamic school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu.
“The three visitors are suspected of having brought the explosive device with them. Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device (IED), on the school veranda, while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.
“The FCT Bomb Squad has confirmed that it was an IED explosion, as remnants of the device have been recovered.
“Mallam Adamu Ashimu, the owner of the school, has been taken into custody for questioning, and further findings will be communicated in due course,” the PPRO explained.
She said that the Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, behaviour or items that might resemble improvised explosive devices to the police via emergency numbers which are 0806 158 1938, 0803 200 3913, 0802 894 0883 and 0705 733 7653.
Others are CRU: 0810 731 4192; and PCB: 0902 222 2352.
SP Adeh gave safety advices for FCT residents which include staying alert, not touching suspicious objects, community vigilance and calling emergency numbers when the need arises.
