Students at Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School in Kwale, Delta State, fled their classrooms on Monday amid rumours of a herdsmen attack, causing widespread panic.
The panic reportedly began when students saw two herdsmen entering the school premises from the rear, prompting a stampede and alarming the wider community. Fears were fueled by rumours circulating over the weekend about herdsmen near the school.
“Everyone is on alert. There were reports that herdsmen were spotted near the school on Saturday,” a local source said. “Today, as classes were in session, two herdsmen entered the compound. Whether they were looking for their cattle, I don’t know”.
Parents rushed to the school, while online platforms amplified claims of gunshots and an imminent attack, none of which were verified.
The Delta State Police Command swiftly dismissed the reports as “entirely false and misleading.” Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered a coordinated security response, and the Divisional Crime Officer of Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, led a patrol team to the school for verification.
As a precaution, adjoining schools in the area were also visited by security operatives and were found calm, safe, and fully engaged in academic activities. Parents were urged to remain calm as authorities confirmed that stability had been restored.
CP Abaniwonda warned against spreading unverified information, stressing that such rumours can create public anxiety and disrupt learning. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to swiftly responding to credible threats and safeguarding all educational institutions.
The commissioner also advised school administrators to strengthen internal communication, promptly report suspicious activity, and maintain close collaboration with local security agencies to enhance surveillance around school environments.
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