The Nasarawa State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging the kidnapping of two pupils of St Peter’s Academy, Rukubi, in Doma Local Government Area, describing the claims as entirely false.
The clarification was issued in a statement on Friday by Ibrahim Addra, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.
PUNCH Online reports that although some platforms (not The PUNCH) published claims of a purported abduction at a school in the area, checks by government authorities found no evidence to support the story.
According to Addra, feedback from local authorities, the school’s principal, and community members confirmed that no such incident occurred.
He, therefore, cautioned media outlets and the public against spreading unverified information capable of undermining the peace currently enjoyed in the state.
The statement added, “Reports from local authorities, the principal of the purported school and community members indicated no such incident occurred in the area.
“The state government therefore calls on citizens to disregard the false alarm and remain law-abiding. The Government is committed to the security of lives and property in the state.”
PUNCH Online earlier reported that the Nasarawa State Police Command also denied claims that two pupils were abducted during school activities, describing the circulating accounts as “false” and “mere rumour unworthy of publication as factual news.”
In a statement released on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, said the Command’s attention was drawn to social media posts and news items alleging that kidnappers stormed the school and whisked away two pupils.
He said, “The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the report is false and does not reflect the true state of affairs.”
Nansel explained that an unverified alert was received around 10 a.m. on Friday, claiming that two pupils had been abducted while engaging in sporting activities.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, deployed a joint team of police operatives and military personnel to the area.
