The Federal Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) attacked the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Monguno, in Borno State, insisting that the school remains safe and that no student was attacked.
The government described the reports as false and misleading, saying they had caused unnecessary panic among parents, guardians and members of the public.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Press and Public Relations in the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, the ministry said investigations carried out by the government confirmed that there was no security breach at the college.
According to the statement, the ministry verified the situation through direct communication with the school’s management and other relevant authorities before issuing the clarification.
It stated that academic activities, boarding operations and other school programmes are continuing normally under existing security arrangements.
The ministry stressed that all students, teachers and other staff members at the college remain safe and fully accounted for.
It added that there had been no attack on the institution and no disruption to learning activities.
“The Ministry of Education wishes to categorically state that there was no attack on the Federal Government Girls’ College, Monguno,” the statement said.
It explained that reports linking the school to a terrorist attack were inaccurate and capable of creating unnecessary fear among families whose children are enrolled at the college.
The clarification followed widespread reports on social media claiming that suspected ISWAP fighters carried out a pre-dawn attack on the school on Sunday.
Some of the reports alleged that several students were killed while others were targeted for abduction.
The reports further claimed that troops of Operation HADIN KAI, supported by personnel of the Nigeria Police Mobile Force, repelled the attackers and foiled an attempted mass abduction.
The reports quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting anxiety among parents and guardians.
However, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said the reports wrongly associated the incident with the Federal Government Girls’ College.
According to the minister, none of the students of FGGC Monguno was involved in the incident being discussed online.
He explained that the individuals affected were remedial students who were outside the college and not pupils of the Federal Government Girls’ College.
Alausa added that the Borno State Government had already taken steps to provide support, protection and welfare for those affected.
He stressed that it was important to distinguish between the separate incident and the Federal Government college to avoid spreading false information.
The ministry urged members of the public to rely only on verified information from official sources before sharing reports, especially on security matters.
It warned that circulating unverified claims could create unnecessary panic, undermine public confidence and interfere with efforts being made to ensure the safety of schools across the country.
The statement also appealed to bloggers, social media users and online publishers to exercise caution and verify information before publication.
According to the ministry, responsible reporting is essential in preventing misinformation, particularly on issues involving the safety of schoolchildren.
The ministry reassured parents that there is currently no security threat to students or staff of FGGC Monguno.
It said the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all federal unity colleges and ensuring that children can continue learning in a safe environment.
The ministry added that it is working closely with security agencies, state governments and school authorities to strengthen security measures in schools across the country.
Borno State has remained one of the states most affected by insurgency over the past decade.
Although military operations have significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP in many areas, security agencies continue to record occasional attacks by insurgents, particularly in remote communities.
Monguno, located in northern Borno State, has witnessed several security operations over the years because of its strategic importance in the fight against insurgency.
The town hosts both civilian communities and military formations and has remained under heavy security surveillance.
In recent years, the Federal Government has introduced several measures to improve the security of schools, especially in states affected by insurgency and banditry.
Following a series of attacks on educational institutions across different parts of the country, authorities launched the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools, which aims to improve physical security, emergency response systems and collaboration with security agencies.
The initiative is intended to prevent attacks on schools and ensure that students can pursue their education without fear.
Federal unity colleges, including FGGC Monguno, have also benefited from additional security measures designed to protect students and staff.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians that safeguarding educational institutions remains a top priority.
Education officials say regular communication is maintained with school authorities to monitor security situations and respond quickly to any emerging threats.
The latest clarification by the Ministry of Education is aimed at calming fears generated by the reports and reassuring parents that their children remain safe.
The ministry highlighted that false reports of attacks on schools could discourage parents from sending their children to school and weaken public confidence in ongoing efforts to improve security.
It therefore called on Nigerians to support the fight against misinformation by confirming reports through credible and official channels before sharing them.
The government reiterated that there was no terrorist attack on the Federal Government Girls’ College, Monguno, and urged parents and guardians to remain calm while security agencies continue to monitor the situation in the area.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the military, police, state governments and school managements to maintain a secure learning environment in all federal schools across the country.