The Nasarawa State Police Command has refuted claims stating that two students of St. Peter’s Academy, Rukubi, in Doma Local Government Area, were abducted during school activities, describing the circulating rumours as “false” and “mere rumor unworthy of publication as factual news.”
Some media outlets and blogs (not Chronicle NG) had earlier published claims of an alleged kidnapping at the school, sparking anxiety across social media.
In a statement made on Friday, Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer, stated that the Command’s attention was called to social media posts and news stories suggesting that kidnappers stormed the school and abducted two students.
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 am on Friday, claiming that two students had been abducted while engaging in sporting activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, deployed a joint team of police and military personnel to the area.
“On 21/11/2025 at about 1000 hrs, an unverified report filtered in alleging that two pupils of St. Peter’s Academy were abducted while engaging in sporting activities on the school field.
“In response, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, promptly deployed a combined team of police operatives and military personnel stationed within the general area to the scene.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered that the pupils had sighted some hunters carrying Dane guns and, out of fear, fled, mistaking them for kidnappers.”
According to the statement, “The area was thoroughly combed, and normalcy was immediately restored.”
It added that the proprietor of the school confirmed to operatives that “the alarm raised was a false one.”
Nansel stated that the region is being closely monitored to prevent any security breaches.
He urged the public to ignore the rumored kidnapping and warned journalists against rushing unconfirmed accusations to the press, stating, “Journalists and media outlets are further advised to always verify information before publication to avoid misleading the public.”
The alarm about St. Peter’s Academy comes in the midst of a much more significant security situation in Niger State.
Armed men raided St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, before daybreak, resulting in the coordinated abduction of children and personnel.
According to the Niger State Government, the school reopened lately, despite prior intelligence warnings.
Security agencies have quickly responded: police tactical units, military components, and other security operatives around Papiri have started search-and-rescue operations.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")