Bomb defused at Catholic school in Abuja

The men of the bomb disposal units of the Nigeria Police on Thursday foiled a bomb attack on St. Alloysius Schools, Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

A security man, who briefed the Head Teacher of the schools, Sister Philomena Akem, said the item was planted under a mango tree near where pupils buy biscuits and other items after school.

According to the security man, a woman who saw the bag became curious and called the attention of the church security personnel to the strange item.

He said when the security personnel found the object they in turn called the policemen on duty at the St. Alloysius Catholic Arch Diocese to the bomb.

He added that the policemen alerted the bomb disposal unit which came in to defuse the device.

It was learnt that the incident caused a serious panic among parents, residents and passersby around the area while the police team cordoned off the road to prevent access to the device during the operation to defuse it.

The head teacher of the school, who was just arriving the school from a meeting confirmed the disturbing incident to our correspondent.

She said one of her members of staff called her during to tell her about the incident.

She said the management of the school had alerted the Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory on the need to close a portion of the road where the vast Catholic Church and the schools are located.

She said the development had sent some of its personnel to the school to take a look at the road in response to the school’s petition on Wednesday.

Also, the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association of the Schoool, Dr. James Agbonhese confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He said the PTA and the Security Committee which comprises security operatives were taking measures to strengthen security in the schools.

He was full of thanks to God that the device was discovered by the woman who quickly called attention to it.

Source:Punch Newspapers