The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has shut down Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, following an attack on the school on Tuesday night.
Some gunmen reportedly invaded the school located at Adeke, a suburb of Makurdi, and injured a security guard.
The Director of Social Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Very Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, who confirmed the attack, said that the school had been closed to enable the authorities to investigate the matter.
According to Iorapuu, “Sad news from one of our schools. An attack was carried out by people suspected to be unknown 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 personnel who was badly injured in the attack and is receiving attention at the hospital.”
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The cleric said the attackers gained access to the school compound and were shooting sporadically but were repelled by officers of the Civil Defense Corps.
He condemned attacks on schools across the country, expressed concern about insecurity in the state, and lamented the rising cases of kidnapping and killings across the country.
He said Bishop Wilfred Anagbe has met with the school management and had ordered that the school be shut down to enable them to handle the situation.
Fr. Iorapuu 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 to nip insecurity in the bud.
“We appreciate the professionalism of the civil defense officers who provide security at the school. These unidentified gunmen tried to raise the ante in their attack 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 for the church to be proactive and protect the lives of our children,” he said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state command, SP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive the report of the incident.
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