No Student Was Abducted, Imo Police and School Principal Insist

The Imo State Police Command has dismissed as false and misleading reports alleging that students of Government Girls Secondary School, Okigwe Road, Owerri, were abducted by suspected herdsmen.

The command described the widely circulated claims as baseless and urged members of the public to disregard the information, insisting that no abduction occurred anywhere within the school or across Owerri metropolis.

The clarification followed growing concern among parents and residents after social media reports claimed that several students had been kidnapped while returning home from school.

Reacting to the reports, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, ordered an immediate verification exercise.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and Coordinator of the Safe School Initiative, ACP Abdullahi Wase, subsequently visited the school to investigate the claims.

During the visit, police officials met with the school management, teachers and students. According to the command, all parties confirmed that no such incident occurred.

“The report is entirely false, unfounded and should be disregarded by members of the public,” the police said.

The command stated that all students and staff members were safe, accounted for and carrying on with normal academic activities. Police authorities further explained that the early dismissal of students from some government secondary schools in Owerri on the day in question was purely administrative and had no connection whatsoever to any security threat.

According to the command, teachers and principals were required to attend an official meeting organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), necessitating adjustments to school activities.

Principal Speaks

Corroborating the police position, the Principal of the Senior Section of Imo Girls Government College, Mrs. A.N. Amadi, described the reports as completely false. She explained that the confusion may have arisen after students were allowed to go home earlier than usual due to administrative engagements involving school personnel.

“At about 9:00 a.m., a circular was received informing us that the Nigeria Union of Teachers was holding a rally and that principals and teachers were expected to attend,” she said.

“However, because we were working on important records scheduled for submission to the commission, I directed the teachers to remain in school while we completed the assignment. The students were subsequently dismissed for break.” Mrs. Amadi stressed that no security incident occurred within the school premises.

“I want to state clearly that the reports being circulated are false. There was no such incident. The news currently making the rounds has already been debunked and does not reflect the reality of what happened.”

She specifically denied reports claiming that four students of the school had been abducted.

“The claim that four students of Imobidas Government College were kidnapped is completely untrue. No such incident occurred in our school. We only became aware of the rumour through reports circulating elsewhere. The information is false and should be disregarded.”

Police Warn Against Fake News

The Imo State Police Command warned individuals spreading unverified information to desist from actions capable of creating panic and public anxiety.

The command stressed that deliberately circulating false information constitutes a criminal offence and vowed to investigate and prosecute anyone found responsible. Police authorities also reassured residents that security around schools remains a priority under the Safe School Initiative and pledged continued collaboration with education stakeholders to ensure a secure learning environment across the state.

The command urged members of the public to verify security-related information through official channels before sharing it, noting that misinformation can undermine public confidence and create unnecessary fear.