A suspected bomb explosion killed at least two people and injured two others at a school near Abuja, the Nigerian capital, on Monday, police said.
Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for the Territory of Abuja, said the incident happened at Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, in a village near Abuja.
According to investigations, three men from the northern state of Katsina who visited the school were suspected to have brought an improvised explosive device.
“Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device (IED), on the school veranda, while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard,” Adeh said.
“The FCT Bomb Squad has confirmed that it was an IED explosion, as remnants of the device have been recovered.”
Adeh, who issued safety advice for residents of FCT asked the residents to stay alert, be aware of their surroundings and report any unusual behavior or items to the authorities.
“Do not Touch or attempt to move them. Instead call the police immediately.”
“Emergency Numbers: keep emergency contact numbers handy and ensure your family members are aware of them.”
“Community Vigilance: Collaborate with your neighbors to maintain a safe environment.”
It was not immediately clear if there were students at the school. Schools in Abuja were expected to reopen for a new term on Jan. 13 although Islamic schools sometimes use different calendars.
Adeh said police had taken into custody the owner of the school for questioning.