The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command yesterday said two people died in a suspected bomb explosion at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area of the FCT.
The police command said it receiving a distress call from the Sarki of Kuchibuyi and dispatched a team of operatives, including the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and the Area Commander of Kubwa, to the scene.
It said the area was immediately cordoned off to protect residents and ensure a thorough investigation.
The police said in the course of combing he scene, they evacuated the victims and took them to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Josephine Adeh, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said preliminary investigations revealed that three men from Katsina, who were suspected to have carried an explosive, visited the owner of the Islamic school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu.
Adeh said two of the men died while fiddling with the improvised explosive device (IED) on the school veranda.
The third man and a female trader reportedly sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.
The statement said: “The FCT Police Command regrets to inform the public of a tragic incident involving a suspected bomb explosion that occurred on January 6, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m. at the Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School, located in Kuchibuyi Village, Byazhin area of the FCT.
“The FCT Bomb Squad has confirmed that it was an IED explosion, as remnants of the device have been recovered.”
The statement said the school owner had been taken into custody for questioning, promising that further findings would be communicated in due course.
But the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, said the incident resulted in one fatality at the scene.
He said: “One person died there immediately. That was confirmed. Four other persons, including a girl who sustained injuries, were taken to a hospital.
“The girl was selling awara (soybean cake) when the bomb exploded. Since she was closer to the scene of the explosion, she was also wounded. So, they took the four of them to the hospital.”
Gabaya promised to provide further details on the incident as he received them.
In her statement, Adeh said FCT Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, behaviour, or items that may resemble improvised explosive devices.
The statement added: “Members of the public should always report such incident to the police via our emergency numbers: 0806 158 1938, 0803 200 3913, 0802 894 0883, 0705 733 7653, as well as: CRU: 0810 731 4192, and PCB: 0902 222 2352.
“Safety Advice for Residents of FCT: stay alert: Be aware of your surroundings and report any unusual behavior or items to the authorities.
“Do not touch suspicious objects: If you encounter any suspicious items, 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.”
