Two students of the Federal
Government College, Okigwe, Imo State have caused a stir in Umuchime
Ubahu community in Okigwe LGA, 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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment