Nigeria school blast and
tragedy: Sister died but rescued students
 |
| Sr.Henrietta Alokha of Nigeria died saving students |
Sr. Monica Omowunmi Rowland, the Superior General of the
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Nigeria has narrated how one of her
Sisters, Sr. Henrietta Alokha, the school principal of Bethlehem Girls College
died while rescuing students.
Paul Samasumo – Vatican City
With the world’s focus rightly on the coronavirus pandemic,
the huge 15 March 2020 blast in Lagos, Nigeria, did not make much news. The explosion
reduced much of Bethlehem Girls College and nearby houses to rubble. Bethlehem
College is owned by the Archdiocese of Lagos and managed by the Congregation of
the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Students were at Mass
Apart from Sr. Henrietta Alokha, the college principal, 17
persons were confirmed dead while 25 others were injured. It is still not yet
clear what caused the blast, but a gas explosion near the International Trade
Fair Complex, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State may have been
the cause.
Over 200 persons were displaced as 50 nearby houses were
destroyed. Some students and people in the vicinity, who sustained injuries,
were treated at nearby hospitals.
Sr. Henrietta prevented a stampede
Recounting what happened, the Superior General told Vatican
News, the college students were gathered in the school chapel for the
Eucharistic Celebration when the students noticed an unusual white fume coming
from the gate side direction towards the chapel.
The Principal, Sr. Henrietta calmly told the students to
move towards the backdoor of the chapel. She shielded all the students
and tried to make sure there was no stampede. Fortunately, all the students
were evacuated from the chapel. Immediately afterwards, a loud blast shook the
whole community and beyond leaving Bethlehem Girls College levelled to its
foundation.
“Sr Henrietta Alokha and a female security staff died in the
process of making sure the students were safe. Sr. Henrietta could not account
for two of her students after rescuing the others, so she went in search of
them even when she was told not to, she preferred to take the risk to save the
missing two, who shortly after she left ran out from a different direction to
join the others. Nevertheless, Sister trying to make it back after the search
got hit on the head and sustained a deep cut by the collapsing building and she
died on the spot,” explained Sr. Rowland.
Some staff members were trapped and died in their living
quarters
Five other staff members who were in the staff quarters were
also killed when buildings collapsed.
“In our moment of grief, we commiserate with the families of
all those who lost their lives and homes. We pray for the repose of their souls
and quick recovery for those injured. The cause of this explosion has not
really been ascertained; however, some allude it to a truck that hit gas
cylinders, while others believe it was a bomb blast. Whatever, it is, will not
bring the dead back, but one thing is certain the society has failed Sr.
Henrietta Alokha and all those who died in the inferno. May they Rest in
Peace,” said the Superior General of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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