Parents across parts of Abuja and neighbouring communities in Nasarawa State rushed to withdraw their children from schools on Thursday following reports of an alleged bandit invasion targeting pupils for abduction.
The panic, which reportedly originated from rumours surrounding Phase 1 Primary School in Gbagalape, spread rapidly across Nyanya and adjoining communities, triggering fear among parents and school authorities.
The development affected both public and private schools in Nyanya, Mararaba, Koroduma and Ado, where anxious parents abandoned their workplaces and hurried to schools to take their children home amid concerns over possible kidnappings.
As the rumours gained traction, several schools tightened security measures, locking their gates and restricting movement within their premises to safeguard pupils and staff.
Although no attack was recorded, some schools adjusted their closing times in response to parental concerns. At one private school in Nyanya, pupils were dismissed earlier than usual after parents demanded their immediate release.
The situation also created a surge in demand for transportation services, with commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators reportedly charging higher fares as families scrambled to leave school environments.
Despite the widespread panic, schools visited in the affected areas remained calm, with administrators maintaining that they had only been advised to remain vigilant and enhance security precautions.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command later moved to calm public fears, dismissing the reports of bandits invading schools as false. According to the police, the alarm was triggered by misinformation circulated among students and members of the public, stressing that there was no security breach at any school.
The incident nevertheless exposed growing public anxiety over insecurity and school safety, with many parents opting to act first before seeking official confirmation of the reports.