Mayhem as Armed Bandits Attack Catholic School in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Mayhem in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, as Armed Bandits invaded and Attacked a Catholic School located at Adeke community, along the Welfare Quarters Road.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the attack created great panic among parents and relatives of the students who rushed to the Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School premises to evacuate their children and wards.

It was gathered that the attack forced the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi to immediately shutdown the school to pave the way for concrete and indept investigation into the circumstances that led to the ugly incident.

Although the management of the school has not confirm report of any causality except the security personnel who was badly injured during the attack.

When contacted, the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Very Revd Fr Moses Iorapuu, confirmed the incident.

He said the school had been closed to enable the authorities investigate the matter thoroughly.

Father Iorapuu, in a phone conversation, said, “Sad news from one of our schools. An attack was carried out by people suspected to be unidentified gunmen last night at Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School.

“The Principal, Fr. Emmanuel Ogwuche and the students are all safe, except for a security officer who was badly injured in the attack and is receiving attention at the hospital.” He said

Speaking further, Fr. Iorapuu said the attackers gained access to the school compound and were shooting indiscriminately but were repelled by officers of Civil Defence Corps.

While condemning attacks on schools across the country, the cleric said that the ugly trend is rearing it’s head in Benue.

He lamented that people have been kidnapped, killed and corpses recovered in Adeke area and other places in the state, saying it is a worrisome trend.

Fr. Iorapuu said Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, the management of the school has ordered that the school be shut down to enable them to handle the situation.”

He appreciated God that none of the students or staff were killed or kidnapped during the attack and called on security agencies to do their best in nipping insecurity in the bud.

“We appreciate the professionalism of the civil defence officers who provide security at the school. These unidentified gunmen tried to raise the ante in their attacks’ strategies on the state, from villagers, farmers, and worshippers to students.”

“The school is managed by the Via Christi Society, so the Bishop had a meeting with the leadership of the school, the education team of the diocese, and some members of the consultors, where a decision was taken by the church to be proactive and protect the lives of our children,” he said.

When contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Catherine Anene said she does not have the report on the incident yet.

“Am yet to have the report of the attack. I will get back to you as soon as I get it, thanks”, Anene said.