By Austin Ogwuda
…as Police blame it on misinformation emanating from the students
Kwale town was thrown into confusion on Monday morning following the alleged invasion of Girls’ Secondary School in the town.
As a result of the rumour coupled with the recent abduction incidents across the country, students ran helter skelter as parents rushed to the school in search of their children.
The news which spread like wild fire temporarily shut down activities in the town as residents became jittery.
In a sharp reaction to the purported school invasion, the Spokesman of the Delta State Police command, Bright Edafe, a Superintendent of Police (SP) clarified what triggered the panic.
This was contained in a press release which reads, “The Delta State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the rumour alleging an invasion of Girls’ Secondary School, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, on 24th November 2025 at about 0930hrs is entirely false and misleading.
“The panic originated from misinformation circulated among students and was further amplified by unverified online reports suggesting community anxiety and alleged gunshots.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated response and deployed the DCO Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, to lead a patrol team for immediate on-the-ground verification and security assessment.
“The Vice Principal of the school and the security man on duty were interviewed, and both confirmed that no attack occurred and that the panic emanated solely from misinformation among students.
“As a precautionary measure, adjoining schools within the Kwale axis were visited and all were found to be calm, safe, and in a normal academic session.
“Parents who rushed to pick up their children are advised to remain calm, as the earlier rumour has been decisively addressed and normalcy has been fully restored”.
“CP Olufemi Abaniwond”, it further stated “warns strongly against the spread of unverified rumours capable of causing fear or disrupting academic activities.
“The CP reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to respond swiftly to any credible threat while ensuring the safety of all educational institutions across the state.
“He further urges school authorities to strengthen internal communication, promptly report suspicious observations to the nearest police formation, and maintain close collaboration with local security outfits to enhance monitoring around school environments”.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Goddey Obi Nzete also cautioned against spreading unverified information, noting that such rumours were capable of causing unnecessary fear and disruption of public peace.
The Council Chairman who paid on-the-spot assessment immediately the rumour went viral called on parents and the general public to remain calm, assuring that security agents were fully alert to safeguard lives and property.
