Nigerian Police Arrest Survivor of Abuja School Explosion After Discharge from Hospital

The Nigerian Police have arrested Abba Saidu, one of the victims of the recent explosion at the Almajiri Tsangaya Modern School in Kuchibuyi, Kubwa, Abuja, shortly after he was discharged from the hospital. Saidu had been receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the blast at the Kubwa General Hospital before being transferred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada due to the severity of his injuries. After a week of treatment, he was discharged from the hospital but was arrested by the police and moved to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The explosion, which occurred at the Tsangaya Sani Uthman Islamic School in the Bwari Area Council, is believed to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The device was reportedly brought into the school by three individuals from Katsina who had posed as Islamic teachers. The deadly explosion killed two people, including a young boy whose body was found mutilated in the aftermath, and left another individual critically injured.

Saidu, who was severely injured in the blast, initially received treatment at the Kubwa General Hospital before being transferred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for more specialized care. After spending about a week in the hospital, Saidu was discharged and sent home. However, his elder brother, Salisu Dungu, disclosed that the police had been closely monitoring Saidu throughout his hospital stay.

According to Dungu, he was initially caring for his brother but later had to send another relative, Nura, to look after Saidu. Shortly after Saidu’s discharge, Dungu was informed that the police had taken him into custody. He was moved from the Life Camp police station to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Dungu expressed his concern over Saidu’s continued detention, which had lasted for nearly two weeks. He mentioned that the explosion occurred when one of the deceased victims, Harisu Lawan, found the device while scavenging for sweet potatoes on a nearby farm.

Meanwhile, Iliya Shuaibu, the father of another injured victim, Fauziyya Ilyasu, also criticized the police for their handling of the case. He raised concerns about the ongoing detention of the school’s proprietor, Adamu Hashimu, who had been in police custody since the incident occurred.

Despite the concerns raised, the Nigerian authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding Saidu’s arrest or the ongoing investigation into the explosion.

As the investigation continues, many are calling for more transparency and for a clear explanation from the police regarding the reasons behind Saidu’s arrest, considering his status as a survivor and a victim of the tragic explosion.