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 on Tuesday, 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.
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.
