Panic in Lagos as banditry awareness drama triggers stampede

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.