The Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained 10 secondary school graduates over alleged involvement in disruptive activities during their final-year “sign-out” celebrations.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, DSC Nyako Amidu Baba, noting that the suspects would face charges bordering on public nuisance and other related offences.
According to the statement, the students were arrested by the NSCDC Safe School Response Squad following intelligence reports of activities capable of disrupting public peace and order.
The suspects were reportedly drawn from Capital School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Demsawo, Doubelli and Damilu. They were alleged to have engaged in acts including painting their bodies, tearing their school uniforms, street fighting and other forms of disorderly conduct during the celebrations.
The command said the growing trend has become a source of concern for parents, school authorities and the general public. It recalled that the Adamawa State Government, through the Ministry of Education, had last year issued a directive prohibiting such practices.
According to the NSCDC, intelligence gathered this year indicated that the celebrations had taken a more disturbing dimension, with reports alleging that some individuals disguised themselves as students to rob members of the public of mobile phones and other valuables.
The statement further revealed that one of those arrested was wearing a school uniform but was not a student, while investigations also showed that some of the suspects were not graduating students but were in SS1 and SS2.
The State Commandant, CC Nasiru Saleh, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other individuals who may have participated in the alleged activities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to preventing acts capable of disrupting academic activities, threatening public safety or undermining the security and well-being of students and residents.
Saleh also directed the Safe School Response Squad to strengthen collaboration with school authorities and other stakeholders to enhance preventive measures and ensure schools remain safe and conducive for teaching and learning.
The command said it is working with relevant school authorities to verify the identities of the students and other individuals involved in the incident.