The Niger Government has reassured parents, guardians, students, and the general public that schools across the state remain safe and conducive for teaching and learning.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nana, on Thursday in Minna.

The government said the clarification became necessary following reports circulating on some social media platforms alleging banditry attacks on schools in Bosso, Kpakungu, Sabon-Wuse, Lambata, and other parts of the state.

According to the ministry, consultations with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Niger Police Command, and other relevant security agencies confirmed that the reported incidents did not occur.

It stated that security assessments and independent verifications by the appropriate authorities established that the claims were false and intended to create fear, panic, and unnecessary anxiety among residents.

The ministry reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of students, teachers, and school communities across the state.

It noted that the government was working closely with security agencies, school administrators, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen security around educational institutions.

The ministry urged parents and guardians to remain calm and continue sending their children and wards to school, assuring them that adequate measures had been put in place to safeguard lives and property within and around school environments.

It also advised the public to verify information through recognised government platforms and accredited security agencies before sharing or acting on such reports.

According to the ministry, the spread of unverified information creates public anxiety and undermines collective efforts to maintain peace, security, and social stability.

The government appreciated the vigilance and cooperation of residents and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every school in Niger remains a place of learning, safety, and opportunity.

It further urged residents to remain law-abiding and security conscious, and to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to play a more active role in combating insecurity, declaring that the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping is a national responsibility and not the sole duty of the military, as organised labour warned of possible nationwide industrial action over the worsening security situation.

In a message to members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies on Monday, the President praised troops and security operatives for their sacrifices in protecting lives and communities across the country.

Tinubu also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and acknowledged the burden borne by their families. He urged citizens to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, insisting that Nigeria would not surrender to terrorists, bandits, kidnappers or violent extremists.

His remarks came as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) expressed concern over the persistent wave of insecurity nationwide, threatening industrial action if the situation continues unchecked. Speaking during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, labour leaders said the growing cases of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping were becoming intolerable and demanded urgent government intervention.

Meanwhile, a new twist emerged in the abduction of the Principal of Community High School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Folawe Alamu, who appeared in a viral video from captivity to refute reports that her abductors were demanding a N1 billion ransom, weapons or the imposition of Sharia law.

The principal, who has spent 24 days in captivity, said the kidnappers showed her reports carrying the claims and insisted they were false. According to her, the only demand communicated by her captors is the release of certain individuals currently in custody. She appealed to authorities and the public not to politicise the matter and to focus on efforts to secure the freedom of all victims.

The developments underscore growing national anxiety over insecurity, with the President calling for collective action, labour threatening mass protest, and fresh revelations emerging from one of the country’s latest kidnapping cases. As pressure mounts on security agencies, stakeholders continue to demand more decisive measures to restore public confidence and guarantee the safety of citizens.

By David Torough, Abuja

Professor Ikechukwu has cautioned media practitioners against the indiscriminate reporting of military activities, warning that the publication of sensitive operational details could undermine national security and embolden criminal elements.

Speaking on the relationship between the media and national security, the academic noted that irresponsible journalism has increasingly manifested in the dissemination of false or unverified information, sensational coverage of security incidents for attention or commercial gain, and the disclosure of confidential military information.

He also identified the use of inflammatory language capable of heightening public anxiety and ethnic tensions, as well as politically motivated and unbalanced reporting of security issues, as practices that pose serious risks to national stability.

According to him, the rapid growth of online journalism and social media has accelerated the spread of both information and misinformation, enabling inaccurate reports to reach millions of people within seconds before proper verification can take place.

He warned that such reports could compromise military operations by exposing troop movements, operational locations, and strategic plans.

“That is why we teach budding journalists that national security information is not a media scoop and should not be treated as such,” he said. “You cannot publish details of everything that goes on in the military because doing so may assist and empower criminal groups, insurgents, and terrorists.”

Prof Ikechukwu further observed that the repeated circulation of inaccurate reports could erode public confidence in the Armed Forces and other security agencies, while also undermining the morale of personnel serving under difficult and dangerous conditions.

He added that false and misleading reports often create confusion and panic among citizens and can reinforce hostile propaganda exploited by terrorist and criminal groups to advance their objectives.

He therefore stressed the need for responsible, balanced, and ethical journalism when reporting matters related to national security.