Two students lost their lives in a suspected bomb explosion on Monday at an Islamiyya school in Kuchibiyu, a community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Two others sustained injuries and were rushed to Kubwa General Hospital. The deceased, identified as Harisu and Najibu Ibrahim, were also taken to the hospital’s morgue.
The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated that following a distress call from the Sarkin Kuchibiyu, a team of police officers, including the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team and the Kubwa Area Commander, quickly responded to the scene. The area was secured to protect residents and ensure a comprehensive investigation. During the operation, the injured were promptly evacuated for medical treatment.
Residents have been cautioned against handling suspicious objects. They have also been urged to keep emergency contact numbers readily accessible, inform their family members about them, and work together with neighbours to ensure a safe and secure environment. Initial investigations revealed that three men from Katsina had visited the school’s owner, Mallam Adamu Ashimu, before the incident.
The three visitors were suspected of bringing the explosive device to the school. Unfortunately, two of them lost their lives when the improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while they were tampering with it on the school veranda.
The third man, along with a female trader, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment under police supervision. The school’s owner, Mallam Ashimu, was taken into custody for questioning as part of the investigation.
How The Explosion Occurred
Fauziyya Iliya, a 13-year-old survivor, recounted the incident from her hospital bed. She explained that Harisu had called her to the front of the school, where she usually sold soya bean cakes (awara). He showed her a small object, claiming he found it on a mountain near the school and offered to exchange it for N200 or some awara, but she refused. Harisu then jokingly threatened to take N100 worth of awara and placed the object behind the plastic container where she displayed her goods.
Shortly after, Fauziyya noticed her bucket had broken. When Harisu reached towards it to retrieve the object, he suddenly fell. She tried to escape but could only crawl away. The object exploded, injuring both her legs and one of her hands. Harisu, who brought the object, lost one of his hands in the blast.
According to Malam Yusuf Alkali, secretary to the Chief of Kuchibiyu, the school was established about four years ago to educate almajiri students. The injured victims are currently receiving comprehensive and adequate medical care at the hospital.
