From Scholastica Hir Makurdi
The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has ordered the closure of Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School, in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, 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 has been closed to enable the authorities investigate the matter.
Iorapuu in a phone message said, “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.”
Our correspondent reports that Father Angus Frazer Memorial High School is located at Adeke village along Welfare Quarters area in Makurdi.
Speaking to newsmen, Iorapuu said the attackers gained access to the school compound and was shooting sporadically but was repelled by officers of Civil Defense Corps.
While condemning attacks on schools across the country, the cleric who feared that the ugly trend is rearing it’s ugly 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 has met with the school management and has ordered that the school be shut down to enable them 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 for the church to be proactive and protect the lives of our children,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue state Command, SP Catherine Anene said she does not have report on the incident yet.