SIAYA: A security operation at Barding Boys Secondary School in Siaya County has thwarted a planned arson attack and led to the arrest of three students after police recovered hidden containers of petrol inside the institution.

The security intervention followed an alert from the school’s principal, Paul Ouma, who reported to the Kogelo Police Station that students were in possession of highly flammable fuel within the dormitories.

A multi-agency security team, led by Siaya Sub-County administrator Robert Ngetich and accompanied by the Sub-County Director of Education, immediately raided the school located in South Alego.

Security officers cordoned off the Jupiter Block dormitory, which houses roughly 140 Form Three students, and conducted a search.

The operation resulted into, half a litre of suspected petrol concealed in a two litre plastic bottle, discovered hidden inside a metal school box belonging to an 18-year-old Form Three student.

An additional two litres of suspected petrol previously intercepted by teachers, hidden inside an unused classroom on the school compound.

Upon interrogation, the prime suspect implicated two other learners, who are believed to be co-conspirators in the foiled unrest plot.

All three are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

School closed

In the wake of the security scare, anxiety gripped the student population. To defuse growing tension, the Sub-County Director of Education and the school administration, in consultation with the security team, resolved to send all students home indefinitely starting today.

Police have launched a full investigation to trace the source of the fuel and determine how it was smuggled into the ultra-strict boarding institution.