An unexpected explosion has left seven students injured in LGEA Primary School, Ater, in the local UKUM government area of the state of Benue.
The community members said the children found themselves with an unknown object within one of the classrooms on Tuesday. Believing that it was harmless, some students began playing with him before he suddenly triggered himself.
Speaking on Friday, a resident identified simply as Ternenger told what happened.
He said: “The children collected an object and were playing with him, and inserted into a fuel element, which led to the explosion.
Fortunately, life was not lost, but seven students suffered wounds. It was not an armed attack aimed at school, but purely an accident. The explosion also damaged part of the school building. “
Ternenger suggested that the object could have been part of an explosive device accidentally left by security agents during an previous authorization operation.
The injured students were appointed as Abigail Terser (Primary Five), William Msaga and Tyolumun Deborah (both primary of six), Tseer Mhenuter (Primary three), Mzungwega Mnengeuter (two primary) and Luper of Aondhemba (a primary one).
Benue State Police Command spokesman DSP Udeme Edet confirmed that an explosive unit of artillery disposition was deployed to ensure and evaluate the scene.
A delegation from the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, directed by Commissioner Dr. Margaret Adamu, visited the school and the students injured at the St Anthony Hospital, Zaki-Biam. He praised the president of Ukum LGA, Jonathan Modi, for his fast action and thanked the hospital staff for their rapid attention, expressing their confidence in the complete recovery of the children.
President Modi, who said he was out of official duties when the explosion occurred, explained that three of the victims were almost ready for the discharge, while a student with a serious eye injury would be sent to Makurdi for specialized treatment.
The Rev. Mr., Susan Tonguve, managing director of the ST Anthony hospital, confirmed that all injured children had been stabilized, and only one requires more intensive ocular attention.
On behalf of the parents, Mzungwega Yongo thanked Benue’s government for their rapid response and support for affected families.