The Delta State Police Command has dismissed rumours alleging an attack on Girls’ Secondary School, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, describing the report as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated on Monday that the alarm, which spread across the community and online platforms, originated from misinformation among students and was further amplified by unverified social media posts suggesting gunshots and community tension.
“The rumour alleging an invasion of Girls’ Secondary School, Utagba-Ogbe, is entirely false and misleading. Our findings show that the panic stemmed from misinformation circulated among students,” Edafe said.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated response, deploying the DCO Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, and a patrol team for on-the-spot assessment. After speaking with the Vice Principal and the security officer on duty, police confirmed that no incident occurred.
“There was no attack whatsoever. The school environment was calm, and academic activities were uninterrupted when officers arrived,” Edafe added.
As part of precautionary measures, adjoining schools in the Kwale axis were also visited and found to be safe, with normal academic sessions ongoing.
Edafe urged parents and guardians to remain calm, assuring them that normalcy had been fully restored. He warned against spreading unverified claims capable of triggering fear or disrupting school activities.
“We strongly caution against circulating rumours without verification. Such misinformation can cause widespread panic. The Command remains fully committed to responding swiftly to any credible threat and ensuring the safety of all educational institutions across Delta State,” he added.
The police spokesperson also encouraged school authorities to strengthen internal communication, report suspicious activities promptly, and maintain close collaboration with security agencies to ensure sustained monitoring around school environments.
