(Picture:Niger State Governor Babangida)
There was panic and confusion at Maryam Babangida Girls Science College, Minna, Niger State on Thursday over an alleged attempt to bomb the school.
A correspondent in Minna told Newsdiaryonline that the two men were alleged to be trying to dress in Hijab but the attempt by security forces to locate them proved abortive.Some people,he said , felt it may have been “false alarm .”
Not entirely false ,said other reports from the college.An equally credible news portal,Theeagleonline reported that a female teacher ,who was rushing early in the morning through the footpath to the school sighted “two men that had already changed into the school uniform and were about to wear the Hijab.”
“The men asked her to return to where she was coming from if she wants to remain alive.
“Out of fear, she took to her heels and headed back, but rather than run home, she went through the main gate to alert the school that had already gathered for general assembly.
“When the students got wind of the information, pandemonium broke out as they were uncontrollable, running in various direction out of panic.
The school authority alerted the police, the Military and the Department of State Service, DSS who swiftly arrived to calm the students down.
Addressing newsmen in her office, the Principal of college , Hajiya Fatima Madugu, said : “When the security agencies came, they questioned the teacher, especially with the security challenges confronting the nation, people got scared that some have disguised themselves and planning to join on the assembly.
“You can imagine the fear that will be created in the minds of these children.”
Also, speaking the female staff, Bezat Doma, stated that she followed the footpath (short cut) to enable her get to school early and meet up with her 8am lesson, only to be accosted by the two unknown men that asked her to return home, if she wants to be safe.
She said: “I was really scared, when I saw them almost dressed in the school uniform.
“They have already worn the trouser, shirt and about to put on the Hijab when I sighted them and it was because of the smell of Indian Hemp that made me looked around.
“And one just walked to me and said, go home, there is no school today.
“Go if you love your life.
“I just took off my shoes and ran back.
“But, instead of going home, I went to inform our principal who was already at the assembly ground.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ibrahim Abiodun Gambari, reportedly said the men in question may be lunatics. “They were able to gain entrance into the school due to the porous nature of security in schools.
“But I can tell you that adequate security will be given to schools by the police as well as security tips to help them in case of any eventuality.”
