Panic erupted in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday when students of Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School fled their classrooms over fears of an alleged herdsmen attack. The alarm, which quickly spread across the community, was later confirmed to be a false rumour.
According to sources in the community, students reportedly sighted two herdsmen entering the school premises through the rear fence. The unusual sight, coming on the heels of unverified weekend rumours that herdsmen were seen loitering around the area, triggered fear among the students who immediately took to their heels.
“Everyone is on alert. There were rumours some herdsmen were around the school on Saturday,” a community source said. “So when two herdsmen entered the compound today—maybe searching for their cattle, we don’t know—the students panicked and started running. That fear spread quickly, and people started running everywhere. The herdsmen themselves ran back into the bush.”
The panic also ignited online speculation, with some social media posts alleging gunshots and a possible attack on the school.
However, the Delta State Police Command has debunked the rumour, describing it as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary public anxiety.
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“The Vice Principal of the school and the security man on duty confirmed that no attack occurred,” the statement said. “The panic originated solely from misinformation among students.”
The Command further disclosed that adjoining schools in the Kwale axis were visited as a precautionary measure and were all found to be calm, safe, and conducting normal academic activities.
Parents who rushed to the school to pick up their children were assured that normalcy had been fully restored.
CP Abaniwonda cautioned the public against spreading unverified information capable of disrupting public peace, especially within school environments. He urged school authorities to improve internal communication and promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police formation.
The Command reiterated its commitment to the safety of all educational institutions across the state.
