The Nasarawa State Police Command has dismissed viral reports alleging that pupils of St. Peter’s Foundation Secondary School, Rukubi, in Doma Local Government Area, were abducted on Friday.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, the command said the claims circulating across social media and some online platforms were false and completely misrepresented what happened.
According to the police, the panic began when students heading to the school field for Physical and Health Education classes sighted armed hunters in the surrounding area. Fearing they were kidnappers, the pupils fled in confusion before their teachers quickly guided them back to safety.
The statement noted that the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, immediately deployed a joint team of police officers and military personnel stationed nearby after receiving the initial distress call.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that the pupils had sighted some hunters carrying Dane guns and, out of fear, fled, mistaking them for kidnappers. The area was thoroughly combed, and normalcy was immediately restored,” Nansel said.
The school proprietor, who was also interviewed, confirmed that no abduction occurred, describing the circulating reports as a misunderstanding blown out of proportion.
Security operatives have since intensified surveillance in the area to prevent any potential threat.
The police urged the public to disregard the rumour and called on journalists to verify information before publishing to avoid causing unnecessary panic.