AN improvised explosive device exploded on a suspected female suicide bomber on Wednesday, in front of the library of the Federal College of Education in Kotangora, Niger State.
The development left two more students dead and several others injured.
The bomb blast was said to have occurred at about 1.30 p.m., with the blast confirmed to have claimed the lives of the bomber, who allegedly wore hijab to disguise.
Nigerian Tribune further gathered that at the time of the incident, the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) was organising examinations for its candidates in the big auditorium of the institution.
It was further learnt that the suicide bomber was rushing towards the library when the bomb detonated, a development that caused students to scamper for safety.
According to a student who simply identified herself as Naomi Gana, “I am still in shock. After I finished my examinations, I sat under the tree waiting for my friend when the bomb exploded.
“I saw the bomber, I saw her running towards the library and, thank God, before she got to the entrance, the bomb went off. The other girl I am sure was just unlucky, because she was just passing by when the bomb went off.”
An eyewitness who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on phone, said “many students sustained injury while scampering for safety. At present, about eight people are injured, out of which one broke his leg because of the stampede.
“I thank God the bomb did not take many lives, because the target was the school library, but it was only her and two other female students that died,” he said.
Meanwhile, Niger State governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has condemned the blast, saying it was dastardly and, indeed, condemnable.
The governor, in his closing remarks at the fourth MBA International Literary Colloquium, held at the Justice. Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, in commémoration of his 59th birthday celebration, said the only casualty was the female attacker, while another suspected female bomber was also injured and receiving medical attention at an uidisclosed hospital in the state.
Aliyu urged people of Kontagora and, indeed, Niger state to remain calm, adding that the state police command, in conjunction with the Directorate of State Security Service (DSS), had commenced full scale investigation into the incident.
The governor said the blast could not be linked to any terror organisation yet, while calling on the people of the state to remain vigilant.
He said students affected by the blast were already receiving treatment for injuries sustained, expressing optimism that they would soon be discharged.
He also hoped the injured suspected bomber would survive, to reveal identities behind the attack.
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