The Nasarawa State Police Command has officially dismissed circulating social media reports about the abduction of pupils from St. Peter's Academy in Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area, confirming the incident was a false alarm caused by frightened students mistaking hunters for kidnappers.
Police Investigation Reveals True Story
According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Ramhan Nansel, the command received unverified reports claiming that two pupils had been kidnapped while participating in sports activities on the school field. In immediate response, Commissioner of Police CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed deployed a combined team of police operatives and military personnel stationed in the area to investigate the situation.
"Upon arrival at the scene, our teams discovered that the pupils had sighted some hunters carrying Dane guns and, out of genuine fear, fled the area, mistakenly identifying them as potential kidnappers," Nansel explained in his official statement.
Normalcy Restored After Thorough Search
The security forces conducted a comprehensive search of the entire area and confirmed that no abduction had taken place. The school's proprietor was interviewed and corroborated the police findings, confirming that the raised alarm was indeed false.
Normalcy was immediately restored following the security operation, with authorities continuing to closely monitor the general area to prevent any potential security breaches. The police have assured the public that the situation is under control and students are safe.
Warning Against Unverified Reports
The police command has strongly urged members of the public to disregard the circulating kidnap report, labeling it as mere rumor unworthy of publication as factual news. Journalists and media outlets have been advised to always verify information thoroughly before publication to avoid misleading the public.
This incident occurs against a troubling backdrop of escalating school kidnappings in northern Nigeria. On November 17, 2025, gunmen attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting 25 female students and killing the vice-principal, Malam Hassan Makuku.
Just days later, armed men invaded St Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, abducting pupils, students, and teachers despite prior intelligence warnings flagging the region as high-risk.
