Female Students Flee School Hostel After Falsely Sighting Masked Men

Panic swept through Government Girls College in Maiduguri on Monday night when students rushed out of their hostels, shouting that they had seen masked men dressed in black near the school. The incident occurred around 8:25 p.m., sending dozens of frightened students into nearby streets, some still in sleepwear, before security personnel moved in to secure the area.

Dauda Illiya, spokesperson for the Borno State Governor, urged the public to stay calm, noting that security agencies responded immediately and restored order. He said senior government officials were already at the scene and cautioned the public against circulating unverified claims.

A video shared online captured the moment students ran from the school. One student claimed that the masked figures entered their hostel while they were praying, pleading for evacuation to avoid a tragedy similar to the Chibok abduction. The poster also called on state authorities to intervene swiftly.

Police later clarified that the alarm was unfounded. According to ASP Nahum Daso, an investigation found that the scare began when a few students near the staff quarters’ gate believed they saw unknown figures behind the fence, which triggered a brief stampede. He said officers led by Deputy Commissioner Garba Audu Bosso assessed the situation and confirmed there was no attack.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid urged residents to avoid sharing unverified information that could heighten public fear. Authorities say calm has returned to the school and further details will be provided as needed.