Insecurity: Again, unknown gunmen attack Owo with explosives; Nasarawa orders schools to shut

Unknown gunmen have again attacked Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area and the country home of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The attack came barely seven weeks, after terrorists attack worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, leaving 41 people dead and many injured.

Some people were said to have been injured in the attack which took place Wednesday evening at the town’s Folahami Junction axis, where Craneburg Construction Company is located.

It was gathered that gunmen attacked those at the site and killed many in the process. It was also gathered some explosives devices were also used during the attack.

The casualty figure was yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report

Spokesperson of the command, PPRO, SP Funmi Odunlami, confirmed the incident but said three persons were injured during a shootout in the town though said she could not confirm if the attackers are terrorists or mere bandits.

When also contacted, authorities of the federal medical center Owo, said only two persons were brought to the hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Government has ordered the immediate closure of both public and private schools across the 13 local government areas of the state, as a proactive step to safeguard the lives of its students.

This follows security threats across the country, particularly at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the government already in possession of reports suggesting likely security threats in communities within the state, bordering the FCT, such as Gitata and Umaisha.

The closure of schools was part of the resolution arrived at during an expanded State Executive Council meeting, which took place at the Government House, Lafia, on Wednesday.

Addressing newsmen after the council meeting, state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Fatu Jimaita Sabo, said after reviewing the current situation in the country, especially regarding the security threats in the FCT, the state government decided to close both public and private schools with immediate effect.

According to her, this became imperative considering the proximity of the state to the FCT as well as the resolve of the government to ensure that schools in Nasarawa , operate within a safe environment.