Fear Grips Schools in Niger Over Rumours of Bandit Attack

Schoolchildren in Minna, the capital of Niger State, quickly left their schools on Wednesday. They were scared by rumors of a possible bandit attack in the state capital.

Reports from PUNCH Metro revealed that students did not wait for the usual closing time. They rushed home because they feared bandits might come to their schools.

Parents were also worried. They called their children's schools to check if the rumors were true and if schools were closing early.

Chinenye Nwadike, a parent, shared her panic. She said, "When I heard about the bandits in Minna, I started calling my husband, who sells household items at Kasuwan Gwari Market. I wanted to know if our three children had left school and were at the shop."

She continued, "Nobody wants to risk his life. Our three children attend a Catholic primary and secondary school in Bosso. I learned that these bandits target Christian schools. I understand all the children kidnapped from the Oyo school are Christians. Nothing must happen to our innocent children."

A principal from a Catholic school, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed she also heard the rumor. Most students at her school left quickly.

"Since around 11:30 a.m. when I heard that bandits had invaded Minna and were targeting Christian schools, I have been getting calls from parents wanting to know if their children were safe and if we have closed the school for the day."

She added, "I told them I heard the rumor too but have not seen any terrorists. I contacted the Niger State Police Command, and the PRO assured me that nothing was happening. I don’t know what to believe anymore. Bandits are abducting schoolchildren, and the government seems helpless. This is a big worry."

Isah Usman, another parent, rushed to his son's school to pick him up. He said he did not want to hear any bad news.

"This situation is very scary. The way bandits invade schools and abduct children is alarming. The worst part is that the government does not seem to do anything. They say, ‘Don’t pay ransom to bandits,’ but they give no other options. It is cruel."

Usman suggested that the Niger State Government should declare Thursday a public holiday. He explained, "Parents are still afraid. Besides, Friday is already a public holiday for Democracy Day. It would not hurt to have an extra day off."

In response, Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the state police command, assured parents that the police are working hard to handle the situation in Minna.

He said, "The Niger State Police Command wants to address the false reports spreading among the public. There are claims that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse, and Lambata were attacked by hoodlums. But we state clearly that after checking these schools, no attack occurred."

Abiodun urged the public to ignore the false information, saying it likely came from troublemakers trying to cause panic. He added, "An intelligence investigation has started to find the source of this report and catch those responsible. The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Elleman, has instructed DPOs to cooperate with school officials to ensure safety measures are in place around schools for students and staff."