FALSE ALARM: No Kidnap Incident at JSS Gbagalape, Abuja

By Tgnews Reporter

A reported kidnapping scare at Junior Secondary School (JSS) Gbagalape in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been confirmed as a false alarm after investigations revealed that students mistook a group of scavengers for suspected abductors.

The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m. on Thursday, sparked panic among students, teachers, parents, and residents, leading to the premature closure of several schools across Nyanya, Mararaba, and neighboring communities.

A visit to the school by our correspondent confirmed that no student was kidnapped, harmed, or abducted during the incident. Academic activities have since resumed normally.

According to eyewitness accounts, the alarm began when some students noticed unfamiliar individuals near the school premises and raised fears that kidnappers had invaded the school.

Mr. Adekunle, a resident whose shop is located close to the school, recounted how the situation unfolded.

“Students suddenly started running out of their classrooms around 10 a.m., shouting that kidnappers were in the school. We immediately rushed out with some of our colleagues to find out what was happening,” he said.

According to him, community members responded swiftly after seeing frightened students running in different directions.

“We saw the students running up and down. That was why my friends and I entered the school premises. Some teachers and students told us they had seen some young men inside the school compound.”

He explained that initial suspicions pointed to scavengers, commonly known as “mai bola” operators, who frequently move around neighborhoods searching for scrap materials.

“They appeared like scavengers because of the way they were dressed. But when the students began shouting, the men quickly fled. Four of us pursued them, but we could not catch them. They escaped on two motorcycles.”

Adekunle noted that the use of motorcycles raised questions among residents, although there was no evidence linking the individuals to any criminal activity.

“They left on two motorcycles as soon as they noticed people were coming after them. Whether they were truly scavengers or not, we cannot say for sure, but there was no kidnapping incident,” he added.

The false alarm nonetheless generated widespread anxiety in surrounding communities, particularly against the backdrop of growing security concerns in parts of the country.

Parents reportedly rushed to schools to pick up their children, while administrators in several schools opted to close early as a precautionary measure.

Residents said the incident highlighted longstanding security deficiencies at JSS Gbagalape that require urgent attention.

The school currently operates without functional perimeter gates, security personnel, or adequate infrastructure to safeguard students and property.

Community members pointed to a vandalized transformer within the school premises as evidence of the security vulnerabilities facing the institution.

According to residents, the transformer serving the area was vandalized after thieves removed electrical cables connecting it to power lines.

“The transformer that serves this area has been vandalized for some time now. The community has tried to restore it, but the absence of security makes the school vulnerable,” one resident explained.

Another community member, Mr. Ogoche Simon, expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of facilities at the school.

“There is no security guarding the school. Both the front and back entrance gates have been damaged and have remained unrepaired for more than two years. The roof of part of the school was blown off by strong winds last year and it is still in that condition,” he said.

Simon commended personnel of the Nigerian Army for their prompt response after they were alerted to the situation.

“We appreciate the Nigerian Army for arriving within minutes after they were called. Their quick response helped calm the situation and reassure residents,” he stated.

Despite confirmation that no abduction occurred, stakeholders say the incident serves as a warning about the need to strengthen security around schools and other public institutions.

Residents and education stakeholders have called on the FCT Administration, the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), and relevant authorities to urgently address the school’s security and infrastructure challenges.

They argued that repairing the damaged gates, deploying security personnel, restoring the vandalized transformer, and rehabilitating damaged structures would help prevent future security scares and create a safer learning environment for students.

While Thursday’s incident ended without casualties or abductions, many residents believe it has exposed critical vulnerabilities that must be addressed before a real security threat emerges.