Confusion and panic gripped Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior College in the Ojokoro area of Lagos on Wednesday morning, after a classroom demonstration on banditry was mistaken for a real attack, triggering a stampede among students, teachers and residents.
The
incident occurred at Tigbetigbe Street in the Ojokoro area of Lagos during the
weekly National Awareness Day programme observed in schools across the state.
According
to reports, the theme of the day’s awareness session was banditry.
In an
effort to make the presentation more practical and engaging, a teacher
reportedly dressed up as a bandit to illustrate the appearance and tactics of
criminal groups to students.
However,
the exercise took an unexpected turn when the teacher arrived at the school
assembly ground.
An
eyewitness explained that the sight of the teacher in the costume caused
immediate panic among students, who believed an actual bandit had invaded the
school.
“As
soon as the teacher stepped out of his vehicle and approached the assembly
ground, confusion erupted. The students thought he was a real bandit and began
running in different directions,” the witness said.
The
panic quickly spread beyond the school, affecting students in three other
schools located within the same educational complex.
“Students
from the neighbouring schools heard people shouting, ‘Bandits! Bandits!’ and
also fled. Some teachers joined in the rush to safety, and the entire school
environment, including nearby streets, became chaotic,” the eyewitness added.
The
situation prompted worried parents and guardians to rush to the schools to
evacuate their children after hearing reports of an alleged attack.
Another
resident who witnessed the incident recounted how rumours of a violent invasion
spread rapidly.
“I was
on my morning walk when I saw students running frantically. When I asked what
was happening, they said bandits had entered their school and were killing
people,” the resident said.
Alarmed
by the claims, the resident proceeded to the school premises to verify the
situation.
“On
getting there, I met one of the principals, who explained that the panic was
caused by a teacher attempting to dramatise the awareness topic on banditry,”
the witness added.
A
resident of the area, Joshua Ekong, also confirmed that the misunderstanding
generated widespread anxiety among residents and caused significant disruption
in the community before the true circumstances became known.
According
to the Residents Association of the LSDPC Estate close to the school complex,
while the educative aspect of the method was aimed at stimulating realism, the
effort was ill-timed and a mismatched initiative, given the current security
climate in the country.
“Furthermore,
the teacher failed to inform the school authority, other staff, or the rest of
the student body about his proposed drama, which included the use of realistic
special effects.
“This lack of communication resulted in severe panic within the school.
In the ensuing rush to escape what they believed to be a real threat, a large
number of students fled into our estate, causing the rowdiness and alarm many
witnessed,” the Association stated in its address to residents on its Whatsapp
platform.
“We want to assure all residents that there was no actual security
breach, kidnapping, or bandit attacks within or around our estate. The police
were immediately contacted and are fully involved. The teacher responsible for
the false alarm has been taken to the police station for questioning. The
situation has been completely brought under control”.
Dr.
Olufunke Idowu Oyetola, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), explained
the part of the educational body in its response to the incident. She explained
how she abandoned her make-up and picked up an unscheduled head gear to respond
to the development. “You know as teachers, we have different ways of
communicating. What the teacher wanted to use was role-play and demonstration
to create awareness using scenarios. However, they should have sought my
permission especially because of the sensitivity of the topic and society.
“Secondly,
since they are in a school complex, the other principals should have been
informed or carried along. Although the teacher had good intentions in effort
to enlighten the students, unfortunately, it went wrong.
“The major reason is that the environment is tense. Also, parents most
likely already cautioned their wards on being alert. The news got to me almost
immediately and I left all I was doing and got officers to respond,” she said.
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