After seven of its female students were hit by a spiritual attack, the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Junior Secondary School, Nyiman in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, has been forced to shut down on Monday.

In Tiv land, a spiritual attack is called Iyol genen which affected three of the students on Friday, while there was another record of four cases today.

According to reports, the incident had compelled the principal of the school, Catherine Ahom, to temporarily shut down the school.

The principal, who confirmed the attacks to the media in her office, declined further comments, insisting that she was not competent to comment on the report.

The Education Secretary, Makurdi Local Government Area Education Authority (LGEA), Patrick Aese, has said there was no cause for alarm since the attack was not contagious, neither was it transferable.

He stated that the attack was a temporal one which usually affects girls.

The education secretary also said that the affected persons were ‘allergic’ to certain shades of colors, during such attacks, thus making them react violently.

Aese who also allayed the fears of parents over the attacks promised that before the end of the week, their wards would be back and enjoy full academic activities.

He noted it is important to send the affected girls home or even shut down the school because, during such an attack, others who might have some elements of the spiritual spell in them were likely to react the same way.

“The spiritual attacks usually happen to girls and sometimes, it comes as a spell on the victim by someone.

“But there are traditional medicine men that have herbs that when administered, can contain or cure the situation.

“You know when the news got to me about the attacks, I directed the principal to send home only those that were affected,” he added.