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Two pupils of the Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State have caused a stir in Umuchime Ubahu community in Okigwe Local Government, with the launch of a “rocket” they built from local materials.
The rocket, which was supposed to travel five kilometres, went further than programmed and landed in a residential area, causing a stampede.
The residents of the house where the rocket landed, alerted the police, thinking it was a bomb.
Commissioner of Police Muhammad Musa Katsina, however, dispelled fears of terrorism, saying the “amateur scientists”, who launched the home-made rocket, did not intend any harm.
Katsina, however, urged the residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious movements to the police.
The police boss, who briefed reporters yesterday, said there was a bomb scare in the community when the two science students launched their rocket.
He said police investigation showed that there was no criminal intent, adding that it was a case of innovation and adventure.
“There was no terrorism motive in the act. We enjoin people to go about their activities without fear,” Katsina said.
He went on: “The manufacturers of this rocket are not terrorists, they are rather talented science pupils keen on developing their scientific skills. They should be encouraged.
“The rocket has been deactivated and is safe. The components as discovered by the Police Bomb Disposal Unit do not contain any radioactive or toxic element.
“Because the boys intended no harm, no punitive measures will be taken. I will rather recommend that they be encouraged so that they can achieve greater things.”
The teenage scientists asked for Federal Government’s sponsorship to enable them improve on their skills.
They said they built the rocket as part of a school exercise, which earned them a second position in a competition.
They said they were inspired to launch the rocket when they heard of the National Space Development Agency’s plan to launch a climate-monitoring satellite into space next year.
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