Commotion as seven pupils injured in Benue school explosion

By Omodele Adigun

No fewer than seven pupils have been left injured in an explosion in Benue State.

They were injured when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a primary school in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

Sources confirmed to security analyst Zagazola Makama on Friday that the incident occurred on September 16, 2025 at about 2:00 p.m. at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Ater Ayange.

He said the explosion happened when some pupils found an object in the school premises and began to play with it without knowing it was an explosive device.

“While playing, the pin of the device was pulled off, causing an explosion that injured seven children,” he said.

The children were rushed to St. Anthony Hospital, Zaki-Biam, where they were receiving treatment and responding well.

He added that the incident was not immediately reported to the police until September 18, when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ukum received information and deployed a patrol team to the school and hospital.

The Officer-in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit had been deployed to sweep the area for possible detection of other hidden explosive objects and determine the nature of the device.

The police further disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had commenced an investigation into the incident.