Banditry Awareness Exercise Triggers Panic at Lagos School, Sparks Stampede

|By Adejumo Adekunle – Banditry Awareness Exercise Triggers Panic at Lagos School, Sparks Stampede

A banditry awareness exercise triggered panic and confusion at Ijaiye Ojokoro Junior College in Lagos on Wednesday after students mistook a classroom demonstration for a real attack.

The banditry awareness exercise took place during the weekly National Awareness Day programme held in schools across Lagos State. However, the event quickly descended into chaos when a teacher reportedly dressed as a bandit to demonstrate how criminal groups operate.

Witnesses said students became alarmed when the teacher arrived at the assembly ground in costume. Believing an actual bandit had entered the school, many fled in different directions.

As panic spread, students from three neighbouring schools within the same educational complex also ran for safety after hearing shouts of “Bandits! Bandits!”

Some teachers joined the rush to escape, while concerned residents and parents hurried to the area following reports of an alleged attack.

One resident said students claimed armed bandits had entered the school and were killing people. However, after visiting the premises, the resident learned from a school principal that the incident stemmed from a planned awareness demonstration.

Meanwhile, local resident Joshua Ekong confirmed that the misunderstanding caused widespread anxiety and disrupted activities in the community before authorities clarified the situation.

Although no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted the risks associated with practical demonstrations that are not properly communicated beforehand.

The banditry awareness exercise has since generated debate about how schools should conduct security awareness programmes without causing fear among students and the public.