Panic in Niger schools over rumour of bandit attack

Schoolchildren in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesday hurriedly ended school sessions and fled to their homes over fear of a bandits’ invasion of the state capital.

The PUNCH gathered that the pupils and students did not wait for closing time before taking to their heels over fears that bandits may have stormed their schools.

Parents who also heard of a possible invasion of Minna by terrorists made calls to the principals of their children’s schools to confirm whether the rumour was true and whether schools had actually been closed for the day.

A parent, who gave her name as Chinenye Nwadike, said when she learnt of a terrorists’ invasion of Minna, she started calling her husband, who sells household items at Kasuan Gwari Market, to confirm if their three children had left school for the shop.

“Nobody wants to risk his life. Our three children attend a Catholic primary and secondary school in Bosso. Immediately I learnt about the terrorists’ invasion of Minna, I started calling my husband to find out if our children had left school and were at the shop.

“I learnt these terrorists target Christian schools. I understand all the children kidnapped from the Oyo school are Christians. Nothing must happen to our innocent children,” she said.

The principal of a Catholic school, a Reverend Sister, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she also heard the rumour and that most of the children in her school fled the school hurriedly.

“Since around 11:30 a.m. when I heard the news that bandits had invaded Minna and were targeting Christian schools, I have continued to receive calls from parents of my pupils wanting to find out if their children were safe and if they had closed the school for the day.

“I simply told them that I also heard the rumour but I have not seen any terrorists. I have also contacted the Niger State Police Command, and the PRO has assured me that there is nothing like that. I don’t know what to believe again because the way bandits are abducting schoolchildren and the government, both at the federal and state levels, appear helpless is a major cause for concern,” she said.

The father of another student, Mr Isah Usman, who said he personally ran to his son’s school to take him home, said he did not want to hear stories that touch the heart and suggested that the school authorities should declare Thursday a public holiday.

“This thing is very scary. The rate at which these bandits invade schools and abduct even little children is worrisome. The worst thing is that the government cannot do anything. They will say don’t pay ransom to bandits, but they don’t give any option except to let the abducted child die in the terrorists’ den. This is wickedness.

“I suggest that the Niger State Government should declare Thursday a public holiday because parents are still scared. Moreover, Friday is a public holiday for Democracy Day. It will not be a bad thing,” Usman said.

Meanwhile, a statement by the spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, assured parents that the police were working round the clock to address the situation in Minna.

“The Niger State Police Command wishes to respond to the false and misleading report circulating in public space, alleging that schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse and Lambata areas were attacked by hoodlums.

“The command hereby states categorically that, having visited all the schools mentioned in these areas, no such attack occurred in any school within the state.

“The police command urges members of the public to 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 the mischief makers.

“The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips, had earlier directed DPOs to work closely with school administrators in line with school protection initiatives, and police visibility patrols are ensured around the schools for safety of students, staff and the community,” he stated.