Explosion rocks Potiskum school

An explosion in Potiskum, Yobe State has reportedly left one person dead, sources say.

The blast is said to have occurred at about 7:35pm yesterday, December 28, at the assembly ground of Ari Kime Primary School.

The deceased, a water vendor, was carrying his merchandise in a wheel barrow when he stepped on the hidden bomb, Daily Trust reports.

A resident, Abubakar Yusuf stated that the bomb might have been planted to target the final year students who are currently receiving extra lessons in preparation for their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

“You know Ari Kime is the most populated area in Potiskum and the school has a very large population because it combine primary and junior secondary schools and right now SSCE candidates are taking special classes inside the school,” Yusuf said.

Another witness reportedly told Channels TV that the victim was a sugar cane seller:

“The innocent wheelbarrow pusher runs into the embedded explosion leading to his death and I can assure you that the death toll this morning would have been much if not for the early trigger which claimed just one life,” the witness said.

Schools in Yobe have remained closed since an early morning explosion on the assembly ground of the Government Science Secondary School in Potiskum claimed more than 40 lives.