Tragedy struck at LGEA Primary School, Ater Ayange, in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, when a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on the school premises, leaving seven pupils injured.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency publication monitoring security developments around the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred around 2 p.m. on September 16. Reports indicate that the explosion happened after some children discovered an object within the school compound and began playing with it—unaware that it was an explosive device.
The injured pupils were immediately rushed to a hospital in Zaki-Biam, where they are currently receiving treatment. Medical officials said the children are responding well to care.
Shockingly, the matter was not reported to the police until September 18, two days later, when the Divisional Police Officer in Ukum received information about the blast and dispatched a patrol team to both the school and the hospital.
Speaking on the development, Benue Police Command spokesperson, SP Udeme Edet, confirmed that the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit has been deployed to sweep the area and ascertain the nature of the device.
He further disclosed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a full inquiry into the incident to unravel how the explosive got into the school premises.
The explosion has heightened concerns over safety in schools across the region, with parents and community leaders calling for tighter security measures to prevent a recurrence.
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