An object suspected to be a bomb has killed 10 children when it exploded while playing with it in Kidandan village, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Also, a school principal in the area has been killed by bandits, who also abducted his wife and baby.

The village head of Kidandan, Alhaji Abubakar Ruka, said the children were rushed to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika for treatment.

According to him, the names of the victims are currently being compiled, adding that policemen have visited the community over the incident.

“The incident happened today when the children were playing with an object they found near the bush. The object suddenly exploded on them.

“Ten of them were injured and no deaths; they were taken to the hospital for treatment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the school principal, Idris Abu Sufyan, was said to have been killed along  Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

The bandits shot him dead on Thursday and took the wife and her son away to an unknown destination.

One of the late principal’s colleague, Sabiu Gayam, announced the principal’s demise on his Facebook page.

The post read, “To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return!!!

“I just received the news of the death of Mal. Idris Abu sufyan Kuriga who was killed by thieves yesterday night and took his only wife.

“Malam Idris was the principal of Government Secondary School, Kuriga. He was my secondary school teacher and my colleague at Government Junior Secondary School, Gayam before he became the principal in Kuriga.

“I am sending my condolence message to his family and the people of Kuriga alike. May Allah have mercy on him. Lallai! This is a great loss to us, considering the important contribution he is making to education and development of the country.

“Malam Idris is a hardworking person and trying to give good upbringing to students.”

When contacted, the spokesman of the police in the state, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the two incidents on Saturday.

“Yes, the children actually picked an object at a nearby bush. In the process of playing with the object, it exploded on them.

“We have sent our Explosive Ordinance Disposal squad to the scene of the incident to ascertain the situation. But nine people were injured.

On the killing of the school principal and the abduction of his wife and son, Mansir said investigation has commenced.

“Security agencies and not only the police are trying their best on how they can rescue the abducted wife and her son and apprehend the culprits,” he said.