The government of Abia State says it has discovered “suspected explosives” in a primary school in Afaraukwu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, John Kalu Abia, in a statement, said the primary school identified as Union Primary School, has been shut down to protect the pupils.
The Cable news reported the commissioner as having said that the explosive devices may be remnants of the civil war era, owing to “evidence of corrosion”.
The Cable gathered from the commissioner that the state government is collaborating with security agencies to uncover the “source and nature” of the devices.
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The statement read in part:
“Abia State Government is currently working with relevant security agencies in the state to unravel the source and nature of the suspected explosive devices found at Union Primary School, Afaraukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
“While initial examination of the devices shows evidence of corrosion leading to suspicion of the materials being relics of the civil war era, we are awaiting definite official report from the EOD squad of the Nigeria Police, who are currently investigating the incident.
“Meanwhile, necessary measures have been taken to protect the pupils and staff of the school with security sweeps ongoing while the school is temporarily closed.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed security agencies to embark on proactive checks in other vulnerable locations out of abundance of caution.
“While we are grateful to God that there is no harm to life or property, we urge citizens and residents to continue to maintain vigilance and report suspicious situations to security agents”.
The discovery is coming three days after the state government imposed a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in Aba, the commercial city and Umuahia, the state capital to forestall potential unrest in the state.
