Abuja suburb schools in panic as parents pull children amid abduction scare

Private and public schools in the Nyanya suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were thrown into panic on Thursday after reports that groups of bandits had entered the area to abduct pupils for ransom.

The alleged incursion, said to have begun at Phase 1 Primary School in Gbagalape, quickly went viral, prompting parents to rush to schools to retrieve their children for safety.

Schools in Mararaba, Koroduma and Ado Communities in the Karu local government area of Nasarawa State were also affected by the news.

Parents who received phone alerts about the supposed bandit attacks hurriedly left work and forced their children out of the schools.

Contrary to the allegations, several schools visited by our correspondent remained calm, though they had been instructed to remain on security alert.

School gates, normally open until closing time, were immediately locked to prevent unlawful entry and protect pupils.

At Newphase Academy, the principal—who requested anonymity—confirmed that she had received information about the alleged bandit invasions but said the school was calm because adequate security measures had been implemented.

The school also allowed pupils to leave for their homes by 2 pm, instead of the usual 3 pm, at the parents’ request.

Okada riders and tricycle operators were seen busy, charging high fares to transport concerned parents and pupils to their destinations.

In a swift response, the FCT Police Command dismissed the bandit invasion allegations, stating that the panic had stemmed from a false alarm by students.