Tragedy struck the Kuchibiyu Community in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday after a devastating explosion killed two Almajiri students and left two others injured at an Islamiyyah school.
The explosion, suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), occurred around midday, sending shockwaves through the quiet community.
A public health practitioner at the local health facility, who attended to the victims, revealed that one of the deceased students had been seen holding the explosive device wrapped in cloth while speaking with three other students.
The tragedy unfolded when the student reportedly attempted to unwrap the object, which suddenly detonated. The explosion killed him instantly and left his companions critically injured.
One of the injured students later died at Kubwa General Hospital, while the other two are said to be responding to treatment.
Emergency services, including the police bomb disposal unit, civil defense corps, and military personnel, swiftly arrived at the scene to assess the damage and secure the area.
Security agencies have cordoned off the premises for investigation, while community leaders have appealed for calm.
Residents, who described the area as peaceful prior to the incident, expressed fears over the presence of explosive materials in the hands of children.
A local leader, Mallam Abubakar Suleiman, urged authorities to tighten security in schools and public spaces to prevent further tragedies.
“This is a sad day for us. We need to know how the explosive got into our community and ensure that such incidents never happen again,” he said.
The FCT Police Command has yet to release an official statement. However, preliminary findings suggest that the explosion may have been accidental, ruling out a suicide bombing for now.
Authorities are investigating whether the explosive device was abandoned, transported unknowingly, or part of a larger security threat.
The incident has sparked calls for heightened surveillance around schools and stricter regulations to curb the circulation of explosives. Parents and residents are demanding increased security patrols and community awareness programs to detect and report suspicious activities.
As investigations continue, security officials have assured residents of their commitment to unraveling the cause of the explosion and preventing future occurrences.
This tragic incident serves as a wake-up call for stakeholders to prioritize school safety, improve intelligence gathering, and enhance disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas.