The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed reports of an alleged kidnapping incident at Phase 1 Primary School, Gbagalape, Abuja, describing the alarm as false after a thorough security investigation found no evidence of abduction or criminal activity.
Afrilensnews reports that panic erupted on Wednesday morning after students of the school reportedly began shouting “kidnappers” and rushed out of their classrooms, triggering fears among teachers, parents and residents of the community.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, officers attached to the Nyanya Division received a distress call at about 10:30 a.m. alleging that kidnappers had invaded the school.
The statement noted that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately deployed officers and surveillance teams to the area to verify the situation and secure the school environment.
“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nyanya Division, immediately mobilized officers and surveillance teams to the scene,” the statement said.
Police authorities disclosed that preliminary findings showed that the students’ sudden outcry created widespread confusion and fear, leading to an emergency response by security personnel.
The Command explained that the school premises were immediately secured and subjected to an extensive search operation.
“Following extensive search and questioning of persons within and around the school premises, no kidnapping incident was established, no suspect was sighted, and no victim was identified,” SP Adeh stated.
She added that officers also extended security checks beyond the school compound, searching nearby hills, boundaries and adjoining locations while visiting neighbouring schools as part of precautionary measures.
The clarification comes amid heightened public concern over security challenges and recurring reports of kidnappings across parts of the country, a development that has made communities particularly sensitive to rumours of abduction threats.
The Police Command warned that the circulation of unverified information could generate unnecessary panic, disrupt academic activities and place additional pressure on security agencies responding to emergencies.
“The Command therefore urges members of the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic and tension within communities,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious movements and security threats through the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency response channels.
The incident is likely to renew discussions on the need for improved emergency awareness in schools and responsible dissemination of information during security scares, particularly in the FCT where false alarms can trigger large-scale panic and divert security resources from genuine emergencies.
