Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia
The Anri-bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigerian Police from the state police command in the early hours of Thursday evacuated five pieces of items suspected to be explosives at Union School, Afara, Umuahia.
According to a school source, the children were working in a school farm Tuesday, when they unearthed one of the items, prompting the Head Teacher to contact relevant school authorities who in turn invited the police.
The school source informed that in the course of digging, one of the children hit the item with a knife and smoke started coming out before they ran away to inform school authorities.
While escavating the area in the school compound, the ani-bomb unit discovered four more of the items and took them away.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the report stating that it was part of the civil war relics that was abandoned years back “and not deliberately put there”.
According to him, the explosives have been detonated while the school has been shut down for further de-mining.
Meanwhile, Abia State Government says, it is currently working with relevant security agencies in the state to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices.
While initial examination of the devices show evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era, we are awaiting definite official report from the EOD squad of the Nigeria Police who are currently investigating the incident.
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.
In a press release by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Commissioner for Information Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations out of abundance of caution.
The statement said, “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”.
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