Pupils injured after playing with unidentified explosive device
A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday at LGEA Primary School, Ater, located in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, when a mysterious object found by pupils inside a classroom detonated unexpectedly, leaving seven children injured.
Eyewitnesses and community members described the incident as a non-targeted, accidental explosion, believed to have resulted from the pupils’ interaction with an unfamiliar object, later suspected to be part of an explosive device left behind during a past security operation.
Children thought the object was harmless
A local resident, identified simply as Ternenger, who spoke by phone on Friday, recounted the events that led to the explosion. According to him, the children discovered the object inside a classroom and, unaware of its danger, began to play with it.
“The children picked up an object and were playing with it, and inserted it into a combustible element, which led to the explosion,” he said.
While no fatalities were recorded, seven pupils sustained injuries, and a section of the school building was damaged by the blast. Ternenger emphasized that the explosion was not an attack, but a tragic accidental detonation.
He further speculated that the object might have been abandoned by security forces during a previous clearance operation in the area, highlighting the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance left behind in conflict-prone regions.
Names and condition of injured pupils
The victims of the explosion were identified as follows:
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Abigail Terseer (Primary Five)
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William Msaaga (Primary Six)
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Tyolumun Deborah (Primary Six)
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Terseer Mhenuter (Primary Three)
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Mzungwega Mnengeuter (Primary Two)
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Aondohemba Luper (Primary One)
All the injured children were immediately rushed to St Anthony’s Hospital, located in Zaki-Biam, where they received emergency treatment. Medical officials confirmed that the children were stabilized, though one of them sustained a serious eye injury requiring specialized care.
Police and government respond swiftly
The Benue State Police Command, through its spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed to the school to secure and evaluate the blast site. Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the type of explosive device involved, but investigations are ongoing.
The Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, led by Commissioner Dr. Margaret Adamu, visited the school and the injured children at the hospital. During the visit, she expressed gratitude to Ukum LGA Chairman, Jonathan Modi, for his rapid response and commended the hospital staff for their prompt and effective medical intervention.
Community leaders and parents express gratitude
Chairman Jonathan Modi, who was away on official duties when the incident occurred, provided an update on the children’s recovery. He stated that three pupils were close to being discharged, while one pupil would be referred to Makurdi for advanced eye treatment.
“We are doing everything possible to support the families and ensure the full recovery of these children,” he said.
Rev. Sr. Susan Tonguve, Managing Director of St Anthony’s Hospital, also confirmed that all victims had been stabilized, with only one requiring additional care beyond the facility’s capacity.
On behalf of the parents, Mzungwega Yongo, father to one of the injured children, thanked the state government, the local authority, and the hospital management for their quick and coordinated response. He also urged for greater efforts to safeguard school environments in the region.
Calls for increased safety in schools
This unfortunate incident has reignited conversations around safety protocols in schools, especially those located in areas previously affected by military operations or communal conflict. Stakeholders have called for thorough inspections of school premises for potentially hazardous materials and increased awareness campaigns to educate children on the dangers of unknown objects.
As investigations continue, the people of Ukum LGA and Benue State as a whole are left shaken but grateful that the lives of the children were spared. The state government has pledged to take additional security measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
