Nasarawa Police Deny School Kidnap Claims: Students Mistook Hunters For Abductors
The Nasarawa State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that students were kidnapped from Peter’s Foundation Secondary School in Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area. According to the police, the incident that caused widespread panic was the result of a misunderstanding.
The alarm was raised after students saw two armed men on the school field and ran back to alert their teacher. The sight of the weapons frightened them, and by the time they returned to their classrooms, the story had already begun to escalate. Within minutes, rumours of a kidnap attempt started circulating among the pupils, eventually spreading beyond the school compound and sparking tension across the community.
The school proprietor later clarified that the men on the field were hunters, not kidnappers. He explained that their presence had no connection to the school, and no student was at any point in danger. The police spokesperson also confirmed that there was no abduction, describing the viral reports as a false alarm.
The swift escalation of the rumour highlights the level of fear that exists around school security in Nigeria, especially in the northern region where several kidnapping incidents have previously taken place. While this particular situation turned out to be a misunderstanding, it serves as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread, and how easily fear can take root when security concerns are already high.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and verify information before sharing it, noting that unverified reports can cause unnecessary panic and confusion. For the parents and residents of Rukubi, the clarification comes as a relief, but the episode underscores the need for continued vigilance and proper communication in moments of uncertainty.
