Confusion erupted in a Lagos school on Wednesday morning following what turned out to be a prank over the alleged kidnapping of students and teachers.
According to reports, it was a usual calm day, as every Wednesday is observed as National Awareness Day in all schools across Lagos State.
Around 9 am at Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior College, located on Tigbetigbe Street, Ojokoro, area of Lagos, the topic for the day’s awareness programme was banditry.
To make the presentation more realistic and engaging, one of the teachers decided to dress as a bandit to show the students what bandits look like.
“However, as the teacher stepped out of his vehicle and approached the assembly ground, pandemonium broke out,” an eyewitness said.
“The students, believing he was a real bandit, immediately took to their heels in fear.
“Students in the other three schools within the same complex, upon hearing shouts of “Bandits! Bandits!” also joined in the stampede.
“Some teachers were not left out, as they too ran for safety. The entire school complex, as well as adjoining streets, was thrown into confusion and panic.”
The development saw alarmed parents rushing towards the schools to pick up their children and wards, believing it was an actual bandit attack.
“I was on my early morning walk when I noticed a group of students running frantically. When I asked what had happened, they told me that bandits had invaded their school and were killing people,” another eyewitness narrated.
“Concerned by the alarming report, I proceeded to the school complex to ascertain the situation.
“On getting there, I met one of the principals, who preferred not to be named. The principal narrated the incident that led to the chaos, explaining that the panic was triggered by a teacher’s attempt to dramatise the awareness topic on banditry.”
Our correspondent learnt from Joshua Ekong, who resides close to the school, that the development caused panic and confusion in the area.
