By Wole Mosadomi
MINNA — Panic swept through Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesday as parents rushed to schools to withdraw their children following rumours of an impending attack by armed groups on educational institutions in the city.
The scare also forced many shop owners to close their businesses and return home amid fears of possible insecurity.
The development followed the circulation of unverified reports claiming that a violent group had threatened to attack some communities in the state. The rumours, which had been making the rounds for several days, intensified on Wednesday morning, sparking widespread anxiety among residents.
Sources said that by about 11 a.m., concerned parents had begun arriving at schools across Minna to pick up their children despite efforts by school authorities to reassure them.
Attempts by head teachers, principals and other school administrators to calm fears and persuade parents to leave their children in school reportedly proved unsuccessful, as many insisted on taking their wards home.
The panic led to disruptions in academic activities in some schools, while business activities in parts of the state capital were also affected as traders hurriedly shut their shops.
Reacting to the development, the Niger State Ministry of Education said it had not received any report of attacks on schools.
The ministry’s Information Officer, Priscilla Tumaka, said no school had officially informed the ministry of any security breach.
“No school has informed the ministry that any institution has been invaded, and there is no official information of parents withdrawing their children because of such an incident. However, the ministry will investigate immediately,” she said.
The Niger State Police Command also dismissed the reports as false, urging residents to remain calm.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Wasiu, said security operatives had investigated the claims and found no evidence of attacks on schools.
“What we heard was that hoodlums attacked some schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sauka Ka Huta and Lambata, but upon visiting the schools, we discovered that nothing of such happened,” he said.
“We are trying to find out where the rumours originated because we have not received any information suggesting that bandits are approaching the town or planning to invade schools.”
The police spokesman described the reports as misinformation allegedly spread by individuals seeking to create panic and fear among residents.
“The public should disregard this false information, which is suspected to have originated from mischief makers to cause panic and fear in the public and school environment.
“However, intelligence investigation has commenced to unravel the source of the false report, identify and arrest those responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has directed Divisional Police Officers to work closely with school administrators under the School Protection Initiative.
He also ordered increased patrols around schools to ensure the safety of students, staff and surrounding communities.
Despite official assurances, the rumours caused widespread concern among residents, highlighting the sensitivity of security-related information in a state that has experienced repeated security challenges in recent years.
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