*Civil Defence repels attack
By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi
The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has ordered the closure of Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School in Makurdi after gunmen attacked the school on Tuesday night, May 7, 2024.
Our correspondent gathered that the attack was carried out by gunmen yet to be identified.
The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Very Revd Fr Moses Iorapuu, who confirmed this to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday, said the school had been closed to enable the authorities investigate the matter.
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.”
Our correspondent reports that Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School is located at Adeke village along the Welfare Quarters area.
Speaking to newsmen, 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 who noted that the ugly trend is rearing it’s head in Benue 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.
He said Bishop Wilfred Anagbe the management of the school and 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 Police Public Relations Officer PPRO SP Catherine Anene said she does not have the report on the incident yet.
