Panic at Maiduguri Girls’ School as Students Flee Over Rumoured Attack, Authorities Deny Incident

Tension swept through Government Girls College (GGC), Maiduguri, on Monday night after panicked students fled their hostels, claiming that “men in black with face masks” had invaded the school premises. The alarm, which spread rapidly through the dormitories, triggered chaos as hundreds of frightened students raced out of the compound into nearby streets, many still dressed in their hostel clothing.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred around 8:25 p.m., shocking residents of the surrounding neighbourhood. Some students were heard crying and shouting as they ran, fearing that a violent attack—similar to those that have plagued the region for over a decade—was unfolding.

A witness, Hussein Aliyu, recounted seeing unusual movement along the road close to the school.
“At first, I thought the hold-up was caused by the traffic light,” he said. “But then I saw many students in uniform running and shouting along the road.”

Another eyewitness, Amos Adziba, shared a video online showing the terrified students. He claimed that one of the girls told him that masked men had entered their hostel while they were praying at the school mosque. The student reportedly begged authorities to let them return home so they would not “be kidnapped like the Chibok girls.”

The reference to the 2014 Chibok school abduction, in which 276 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, underscores the deep psychological trauma still present in Borno communities. Events that might elsewhere be considered minor or routine can easily ignite mass panic in the North-East, where schools have repeatedly been targets of insurgent violence.

Government and Security Agencies Move In

Within minutes of the alarm, security operatives were deployed to the school. The Borno State government also moved quickly to restore calm and dispel rumours. The spokesperson for the governor, Dauda Illiya, urged the public to remain calm, stating that order had already been restored.

He wrote on Facebook:

“A panic incident occurred this evening at the Government Girls College in Maiduguri. Security agencies were immediately deployed and have successfully restored order. A government delegation comprising the Commissioner of Education, the Chief Adviser on Sustainable Development, and the Special Adviser on Media are currently present at the school.”

Illiya also warned the public to disregard unverified reports circulating online.

Police: It Was a False Alarm

The Borno State Police Command later issued an official statement dismissing claims of a planned attack. According to Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Daso, preliminary investigation showed that the panic stemmed from a moment of confusion near the staff quarters.

The statement, titled “False Alarm on Alleged Attack at Government Girls College, Maiduguri,” confirmed that no intruders were found within the premises.

Daso explained:
“The tension resulted from a pandemonium among students near the staff quarters’ gate, who claimed to have sighted some unidentified individuals behind the school fence. This triggered fear and led to a minor stampede. No loss of life was recorded.”

He assured the public that the area had returned to normalcy and urged residents to avoid spreading false information that could worsen tensions.

Fear Rooted in Years of Insecurity

GGC Maiduguri is a female boarding school operating under enhanced security protocols due to the region’s long, painful history of insurgency attacks. For over a decade, Boko Haram and related groups have targeted schools, viewing Western-style education—especially for girls—as a threat.

This context means that even rumours of an attack can trigger widespread panic. Parents, residents, and students continue to live with heightened anxiety, shaped by memories of mass kidnappings in Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and several other communities across the North.

The Monday night incident, though later confirmed to be a false alarm, reveals the psychological burden carried by students in conflict-prone areas — a burden that cannot be dismissed even when no actual threat occurs.

Authorities Promise Further Updates

The police and state government have promised to provide more information as investigations continue. Meanwhile, residents and online commentators have expressed frustration with lingering insecurity in the region, demanding better protection for students and stronger preventive measures.

The incident serves as a reminder that until safety is fully restored, communities across Borno remain on edge — and even the slightest sign of danger can turn into a wave of fear.