The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 10 secondary school graduates over alleged misconduct during their final-year “signed out” celebrations.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Nyako Amidu Baba, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were apprehended by the Safe School Response Squad following intelligence reports of disruptive activities involving students from Capital School, GDSS Demsawo, Doubelli and Damilu.
According to the statement, the students were found painting their bodies, tearing their school uniforms, engaging in street fights and conducting other activities capable of disturbing public peace and order.
The situation took a more serious turn when reports emerged that some individuals dressed in a suspicious manner were using the cover of the celebrations to rob members of the public of their mobile phones and other valuables.
Investigations revealed that not everyone arrested was who they appeared to be. One person found wearing a school uniform turned out not to be a student at all, while some of those arrested were not even final-year students but were still in SS1 and SS2.
The Adamawa State Government had previously issued a directive against such celebrations through the State Ministry of Education last year, but the practice has continued to grow in scale and become a source of concern for parents, school authorities and the general public.
The State Commandant, CC Nasiru Saleh, has directed that a comprehensive investigation be conducted to identify all individuals involved in the activities.
He also directed the Safe School Response Squad to intensify its engagement with school authorities and relevant stakeholders to strengthen preventive measures and keep schools safe.
The command warned that it would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting academic activities, threatening public safety or undermining the wellbeing of students and members of the public.
Digital Operations Manager at The Students Forum Nigeria.
