Panic swept through Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday after rumours circulated that bandits had invaded parts of the city.
By midday, the rumour had spread rapidly, forcing many shop owners to shut their businesses and prompting parents to rush to schools to pick up their children. Several people were injured in the chaos, with traders losing goods as residents scrambled for safety.
The panic was most intense in Felele, Crusher, and Zango communities. Students and staff of the Federal University, Lokoja, and Kogi State Polytechnic also fled their campuses as fear spread.
A Felele resident, Mallam Usman Haruna, said the scare began around 11:30 a.m. after a woman reportedly received a call claiming terrorists were heading toward Lokoja. The information circulated quickly, leading motorcyclists and tricycle operators to suspend services, causing crashes and further confusion.
The Kogi State Police Command later dismissed the reported bandit attack as “fake news.” In a statement signed by spokesperson CSP William Aya, the command urged residents to stay calm and ignore the false alarm.
Commissioner of Police CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi warned those spreading such rumours to desist or risk prosecution. He added that tactical units, including mobile and counter-terrorism teams, remain deployed across strategic locations to ensure public safety.
The police assured residents that Lokoja is safe and encouraged the public to go about their normal activities while reporting any suspicious movements.
