Students of Ayetoro-Iloro High School in Ekiti State were forced to leave school in panic after reports of suspected bandits near the community prompted authorities to close the school early for safety reasons.
Videos shared online, including on the X handle @dammiedammie35, showed frightened students running along major roads and seeking help from motorists and residents as fear spread across the area.
The situation created tension among parents and residents, many of whom rushed to pick up their children.
As of the time of reporting, no attack or kidnapping had been confirmed.
However, the incident raised fresh concerns about insecurity in rural communities and schools across the state.
Residents said the panic began after rumours spread that armed men had been sighted in nearby areas, fuelling fears of a possible attack.
To protect students and staff, school authorities reportedly decided to end academic activities early.
Some residents called on security agencies to increase surveillance around schools, particularly in remote communities vulnerable to criminal activity.
“We cannot continue to live in fear every day. Government must deploy more security personnel to these rural communities before something terrible happens,” one resident said.
Another resident urged authorities to establish military and police checkpoints on major roads linking villages in the area to reassure residents and deter possible attacks.
Meanwhile, parents were seen attempting to reunite with their children in the aftermath of the panic, while residents urged calm pending an official update from security agencies.
By Thursday evening and Friday morning, neither the Ekiti State government nor the police had issued an official statement confirming the presence of bandits or any security breach in the area.
