The Nasarawa State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media that kidnappers invaded St. Peter’s Academy in Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area, and abducted two pupils. The Command described the reports as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the alarm over the alleged kidnapping was investigated immediately and found to be untrue. He urged the public to disregard the reports and advised media organisations to always verify information before publishing.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Thursday, 21 November 2025, triggered anxiety both within Nasarawa and beyond, especially as the country has been experiencing rising cases of school kidnappings in recent years. However, the police emphasised that no abduction took place at the school and that the situation arose from a misunderstanding by some pupils.
According to the police, an unverified report began spreading around 10 a.m. on Thursday, claiming that two pupils had been abducted while participating in sporting activities on the school field. As the rumour grew, residents raised concerns, fearing that the school had become the latest target of kidnappers.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately deployed a team of police officers and military personnel stationed within the area to the school. The swift response was part of the Command’s effort to prevent any real threat from developing and to assure parents and residents of the safety of the children.
When the security team arrived at the scene and conducted an investigation, they discovered that the pupils had run away after seeing a group of hunters carrying Dane guns in the surrounding bush. Mistaking the hunters for kidnappers, the children raised an alarm, which quickly spread across the community and social media.
The police added that the school environment was thoroughly searched and found to be safe, with no evidence of any attack.
As part of the investigation, security operatives interviewed the proprietor of St. Peter’s Academy, who confirmed that no pupils were missing and that the panic was caused by the children’s misunderstanding. The proprietor told police that the school had not recorded any suspicious activities and that all students were accounted for.
The Command explained that hunters regularly move around the area with Dane guns, which they legally use for hunting. Unfortunately, the sight of armed individuals contributed to the pupils’ fear, especially considering recent national trends of school attacks.
The police reassured the public that the area has remained calm and secure. They also stated that security operatives would continue to monitor the school and its surroundings to prevent any breach of peace.
While the incident turned out to be a false alarm, it highlights growing concerns about security around schools across Nigeria. Over the past decade, the country has faced multiple high-profile cases of mass abductions, including the Chibok girls in Borno State in 2014, the Dapchi schoolgirls in Yobe State in 2018, and numerous school raids in Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Zamfara states.
In several northern states, schools have had to close temporarily due to threats from criminal groups. These repeated incidents have created deep fear among parents, forcing many schools to increase security measures and reduce outdoor activities.
For communities like Rukubi, where rural surroundings and forest areas make security more challenging, even harmless activities—such as hunters passing by—can cause fear. The Nasarawa police acknowledged this reality and promised to improve patrols around schools.
In the statement, SP Nansel criticised the quick spread of the false kidnapping report, noting that such unverified information can cause unnecessary panic and damage public confidence in security efforts.
He advised journalists, bloggers, and social media users to verify information before sharing it, especially on matters related to public safety. According to him, false alarms not only mislead citizens but also divert security resources that could be used to address real threats.
“The Command urges members of the public to disregard the circulating report as mere rumour unworthy of publication as factual news,” Nansel stated. “Journalists and media outlets are further advised to always verify information before publication in order to avoid misleading the public.”
The Nasarawa State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. The authorities assured parents of pupils at St. Peter’s Academy that the environment is safe and that security operatives are maintaining surveillance to prevent any incident.
The police encouraged residents to remain calm and promptly report suspicious activities rather than rely on social media reports. They also urged communities to work closely with security agencies to create safer environments for children.
For now, normal school activities have resumed, and the community has returned to calm. Though the incident was a false alarm, it serves as a reminder of the fragile security situation across the country—and the importance of accurate information in preventing fear and confusion.
