School Day Interrupted by Security Panic
A typical school day in Kogi state turned into a scene of panic and confusion when rumors of bandit invasion sent children running home for safety. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 27, 2025, when unverified reports of bandits attacking the Kabba area spread rapidly through the community.
A mother identified as @kattiekitchens on X platform shared her experience around 12:42 pm, revealing that her children unexpectedly returned home hours before their normal dismissal time of 2:00 pm. The concerned parent expressed both surprise and relief at seeing her children safe but early from school.
Parental Reactions and Community Response
The mother's social media post quickly gained attention, with many Nigerians sharing their concerns about school security. "My kids just ran home now the school was closed immediately they heard the news of bandits in town," she wrote, capturing the urgency of the situation that unfolded.
In subsequent comments, the woman suggested the reports might be rumors, mentioning she had seen videos of students from Kogi State University running. This indicates the panic had spread beyond just primary and secondary schools to affect higher institutions as well.
The online conversation was sparked by an earlier post from user @AweniOnibata, who had claimed: "BANDITS ARE CURRENTLY ATTACKING KABBA, KOGI STATE. PLEASE CALL YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBER AROUND THERE."
Public Outcry and Safety Concerns
The incident triggered widespread reactions from social media users concerned about security in educational institutions:
- @Kareemah_17 expressed concern for their hometown: "Ah! My home town. Please stay safe. God please save my people there o"
- @Lilly_monie suggested: "Honestly, they shouldn't go to school for now, not until next year, that is, if the government even decides to do what's right."
- Multiple commenters questioned whether children had completed their examinations before the early dismissal
- @mz_sookiee offered prayers: "Please stay safe. Thank God for your children who are smart to come home."
Official Police Response
Despite the widespread panic, the Kogi State Police Command quickly moved to dispel the rumors. CSP William Ovye Aya, the Police Public Relations Officer, explicitly denied that bandits had invaded Zango, Crusher, and Felele communities in Lokoja as some reports had suggested.
The police authority labeled the circulating reports as "fake" and designed to create unnecessary tension within the state. Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi issued a warning against those spreading such rumors, urging them to desist from causing fear and panic among residents.
This incident highlights the fragile security situation in many Nigerian communities, where rumors can trigger immediate panic responses. It also underscores the challenges parents and school administrators face in balancing educational activities with safety concerns in regions experiencing security challenges.
The quick dismissal of students, while disruptive to academic activities, demonstrates the precautionary measures institutions are willing to take when faced with potential security threats, even when such threats remain unverified by official sources.
