At least 98 other students and teachers were seriously injured in the incident which occurred hours after Northern governors called on President Goodluck Jonathan “to declare a total war and eliminate Boko Haram in our midst before the 2015 elections.”
Jonathan, who will on Tuesday(today) formally declare his intention to seek a re-election in 2015, had shortly after the news of the schoolchildren’s killing, assured Nigerians that those behind the act would be apprehended.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the Monday attack, residents believe that the bomber must be a member of Boko Haram.
A bomber had last week attacked a procession of Shiite movement in the town, killing over 30 persons.
Our correspondents gathered that the teenager bomber beat the school’s security and joined the students and teachers who were about to have their prayer before detonating explosives strewn to his body at about 7.45am.
An eyewitness who did not want his name in print said that the bodies of “about 50, including three teachers, that died due to the attack were scattered on the assembly ground.
He added, “We heard a loud bang and since then the area was cordoned off but ambulances were seen going into the school to pick corpses and take the injured to the hospital.
“Both members of staff and students who were not hurt wept profusely as they struggled to rush the wounded to the hospital.
“Potiskum has been in pandemonium since 7. 45am as a result of the attack on the school. I can tell you that all schools in the town have been closed now as parents have gone to pick up their children. There is wailing everywhere, especially around the school where the incident happened.”
The state government and the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, however put the number of the students and teachers that died at 35 and 47 respectively.
Ojukwu confirmed that the bomber wore the school’s uniform and mingled with the students before detonating “some improvised explosive devices.”
Ojukwu said, “The male suicide bomber was dressed as a student and he was able to enter the school and join the students on the assembly ground where he detonated the IEDs on him. The blast killed 47 students and teachers and injured 98 others. We have secured other schools around the area and investigation has commenced.”
He explained that the bodies of the dead victims were deposited at the General Hospital mortuary close to the school.
Gov. Gaidam closes schools, asks for emergency rule’s scorecard
The state Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, who said the attack had left him heartbroken, closed all public schools in the town pending improved security situation.
He added that he lacked enough words to describe the incident, but challenged Jonathan to come out and explain to all Nigerians, especially those from the North-East what had been achieved through emergency rule in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.
The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Abdullahi Bego, said, “This (Monday) morning, our state woke up to a very sad and heart-breaking news of a bomb attack on our young students at the Government Comprehensive School, Potiskum in which no fewer than 35 students were killed and many more injured.
“The governor has noted that this is the fifth time in a little over one year when schools in Yobe State were attacked and students killed.
“He deeply regrets that all of these dastardly attacks took place under a climate of emergency rule declared in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states by President Jonathan.
“In theory, the emergency rule declaration was a signal that more vigorous steps would be taken to protect lives and property in the affected states and restore peace and security. Unfortunately, these have not been fully the case. Instead of forcing insurgents and criminals to flee; the insurgents are forcing innocent people to flee and making life miserable for everyone.
“Governor Gaidam believes that President Jonathan has a very urgent responsibility to explain to the people of Yobe State and people all across the affected states why murderous and callous insurgent and criminal attacks are still on the rise despite the state of emergency.
“The governor also insists that it was not just enough for the Federal Government to condemn the almost daily rounds of violence. He believes urgent action must be taken right now to restore a fast waning public confidence by doing whatever it takes to stop the escalating violence.
“He has ordered for the immediate closure of all public schools around the Potiskum area until a full review of the situation is undertaken.”
The governor however called on all people to exercise restraint and continue to pray for the intervention of Allah.
The governor directed hospital authorities in Potiskum, Nguru and Azare to provide immediate medical support to victims of the attack free of charge.
Perpetrators’ll be brought to justice
–Jonathan
Jonathan on Monday promised that no matter how long it would take, his administration would ensure that all those responsible for the killings were brought to justice.
He said the same fate awaited all those behind continuing acts of terrorism across the country.
Jonathan said this in a statement made available to journalists by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
He extended his commiseration to the government and people of Yobe State on the death of the students.
He also sympathised with all parents who lost their children and wards in the attack.
The statement read in part, “The President condemns the dastardly murder of the students on their school’s assembly ground as they prepared to begin another week of study in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families.
“He assures the grieving parents and people of Yobe State that no matter how long it takes, the Federal Government will ensure that all those responsible for the senseless murder of so many promising youngsters and the continuing acts of terrorism across the country are brought to justice and made to pay for their atrocious crimes.
“The President similarly assures all Nigerians that in spite of seeming setbacks, his administration remains fully committed to winning the war against insurgency and terrorism.
“Nigeria, President Jonathan affirms, will ultimately overcome the current security challenges imposed by domestic terrorists and their foreign allies, with the dedication of its Armed Forces and national security agencies, as well as the continued support and cooperation of all patriotic citizens.”
Jonathan had before the statement during the inauguration of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation secretariat in Kaduna said his administration remained resolute in the protection of lives and property of Nigerians .
The President, represented by the Minister for Special Duties and the supervising Minister of Labour, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, said the issue of security was a collective responsibility and not of security agents alone.
According to him, his administration would faithfully continue the war against terrorists in the country.
The President, who extolled the virtue of the late Premier of the defunct Northern Region, Ahmadu Bello, also said that his government was still disposed to dialogue with Boko Haram.
He however noted that for those not prepared for dialogue, the Nigerian Army had the capacity to overrun them.
Northern govs want total war against Boko Haram
The Chairman of the Northern State Governors’ Forum, Babangida Aliyu, who attended the event, said unless the Federal Government declared a total war against Boko Haram, its members might overrun the North.
Aliyu said the NSGF would support the Jonathan-led government on a total war against the insurgents.
He argued that since the Boko Haram members “were no longer terrorists but rebels,” the Federal Government must wage a total war against them.
Aliyu lamented that the activities of the sect had dealt a deadly blow to the socio-economic life of the region.
He said, ‘‘Our job is complicated by the present predicaments in the country – Boko Haram, insecurity and abject poverty, among others.
“We must, as leaders, all come together on bipartisan or non-partisan basis to encourage Mr. President and the Federal Government to declare total war and eliminate Boko Haram in our midst before the 2015 elections.
“They are no more terrorists but rebels, who have declared war against their country and have acquired illegal territories. We must therefore crush them.”
Atiku, Mark, Saraki outraged
A former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President David Mark and a former Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki, condemned the killings and called for a concerted effort to wipe out Boko Haram.
Atiku said in a statement by his media office in Abuja that the latest bombing once again underscored the need for the government at all levels and “our elders and opinion leaders to find a permanent solution to the insurgency which has ravaged our country for the past five years.”
He said, “One expects that knowing the anti-education mindset of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, the relevant authorities should have done their bit to ensure that at least, our educational institutions are provided with additional security.”
Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, expressed regret over the incident and commiserated with the government and people of Yobe State, especially the bereaved parents over the sad development.
He asked the members and sponsors of the “barbaric, senseless, and inhuman attack ” to stop it in the interest of peace and unity.
Mark said, “The war on Nigerians by terrorists without boundaries where men, women, children and even the unborn are victims speaks volumes of the agenda of the terrorists.
“What is the offence of these innocent children? Even in warfare, there are boundaries. Even when enemies are known, women and children are usually spared, talk less of schoolchildren.
“No matter the level of anger, it cannot be endless. Enough is enough. We must remember that no evil done to man by man would go unpunished , if not by man , certainly by the Almighty.
“We cannot continue this way. It is not a way of life. It is time for a ceasefire. What do we achieve by ceaseless killings. How can we suddenly forget our brotherhood?”
Mark, therefore, called on security operatives to step up action against the terrorists stressing that, “with increase intelligence and surveillance , a lot could be achieved.”
Also, Saraki lamented the killing and asked Jonathan to end the insurgency in the North-East.
Saraki, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, noted that Boko Haram had by its action shown that it was bent on destroying the unity of Nigeria.
He said, “In this regard, as we battle this scourge, and unite around those affected by today’s attacks and all victims of this scourge, we must demand that President Jonathan take all necessary action to end Boko Haram’s menace once and for all, instead of using security forces to intimidate perceived opponents.
“My heart goes out to the families of the students affected by the bomb blast on an assembly ground in Yobe State this morning.
“These children are the future of Nigeria, and again we have witnessed the fact that by attacking the young and innocent in our society, Boko Haram is seeking to break our united Nigerian spirit through their evil and cowardly acts. This shall not stand.”
He regretted that Boko Haram had in the past few weeks, “rampaged through the North-East, going as far as being audacious enough to tempt our sovereignty by hoisting a dark flag to signify conquest.”
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