The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested Mallam Adamu Ashimu, the proprietor of Tsangagyar Sani Uthman Islamiyya School in Kuchibuyi Village, Bwari Area Council, following an Improvised Explosive Device explosion that occurred at the school premises on Monday.

A statement by the FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said two of the visitors were killed when the device detonated while they were tampering with it on the school veranda.

She added that a third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.

It stated, “Upon receiving a distress call from the Sarki of Kuchibuyi, a team of police operatives, including the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and the Area Commander of Kubwa, swiftly mobilised to the scene. The area was immediately cordoned off to protect residents and facilitate a thorough investigation.”

Adeh further said, “During the rescue operation, victims were promptly evacuated and rushed to the Hospital for medical attention.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that three men from Katsina had visited the owner of the Islamic school, Mallam Adamu Ashimu. The three visitors are suspected of having brought the explosive device with them. Tragically, two of the men died in the explosion while tampering with the improvised explosive device on the school Veranda, while the third man and a female trader sustained severe injuries and are currently receiving treatment under police guard.”

The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, had earlier confirmed the death of one person, following the explosion.

In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Gabaya had said three other persons, including a seller of a local snack, were injured as a result of the explosion.

“At the scene there, one person died. That one was confirmed dead. The three other persons were rushed to the hospital. They were four; then there was one other girl who was selling awara (local snack). There is something they eat, this almajiri food. So, in the process of doing that, the thing exploded, and she was close, so it wounded her also. They took the three of them to the hospital,” he said.

He also said he had ordered the Divisional Police Officer to interrogate a certain Mallam, after some children whom he brought from Katsina to the school a few days before were also affected by the explosion.

“The mallam said he was the one who brought them. I asked the DPO to take him immediately, so they can interrogate him,” Gabaya said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Affairs for the FCT Emergency Management Department, Nkechi Isa, told our correspondent that the department had sent search and rescue teams to the scene of the incident for assessment and reports.

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