The Abia State Government, led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, on Thursday, ordered a temporary shutdown of a primary school after the discovery of an explosive device in the classroom.
The pupils of Union Primary School, Afaraukwu in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia saw the object, which they suspected to be a bomb and alerted their teacher.
The school authorities were said to have alerted the police after evacuating the students.
Men of the Abia State Command Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squad confirmed it to be a bomb, reports said.
They were said to have quickly evacuated the object, certifying the place fit for learning and other academic activities.
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John Okiyi-Kalu, Commissioner for Information, in a statement, said:
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 LGA.
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 reports 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.
The southeastern part of Nigeria has been embroiled in unrest in recently.
Gunmen, suspected to be member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) attacked Federal Prison facilities in Owerri, Imo State, setting inmates free and destroying properties.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari described the attack as an act of terrorism.
