Delta: Police debunk alleged attack at Girls’ Secondary School, Kwale

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

Delta State Police Command has dismissed news making the round of an alleged attack by suspected bandits at Girls’ Secondary School, Utagba-Ogbe, Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area of the state.

Rumours were rife on Monday around 9: 30 am that a suspected terror group terrorising some part of the North had invaded a school in Delta State.

But Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in a spontaneous reaction, said that the rumour was entirely false and misleading.

In a statement, last night, he said the panic originated from misinformation circulated among students and was further amplified by unverified online reports suggesting community anxiety and alleged gunshots.

According to him, 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.

He said that 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 Abaniwonda 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,” the statement said.