By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Pandemonium on Wednesday broke out in Minna and other towns of Niger State following rumours of bandits/ terrorists attacks on schools .
The terrorists attacks scare , it was learnt resulted in panic in major streets of Minna as parents were seen running to get their children from various school premises.
Those who spread the fake news told a parent that the bandits have entered Kpagungu area of Minna attacking a secondary school, a rumour that further heightened fears .
A resident who spoke with our reporter said, “I am just coming from Kpangungu area now. There is no any attacks there. I saw students running inside the heavy rain in panic out of fears . This is uncalled for. I wonder how people can sit at the comfort of their room to send fake news to the public “.
In a swift reaction the Niger State Police Command has debunked the rumoured terrorists attacks describing it as false alarm.
The Command, in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Wasiu Abiodun said the schools mentioned in the rumours to be under attack were safe .
He said, “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”.
He urged members of the public to disregard the 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”, he said.
The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, had earlier directed DPOs to work closely with school administrators in line with school protection initiatives and to ensure police visibility patrols around the schools for safety of students, staff and the community.
