Edo Authorities Debunk Alleged School Kidnapping Report In Owan

Edo State authorities have dismissed reports claiming that students were kidnapped at Holy Trinity Grammar School in Owan West Local Government Area of the state, describing the information as false and misleading.

Key Highlights:

• Authorities said no kidnapping occurred at Holy Trinity Grammar School in Owan West.
• The viral report was described as false and misleading.
• Police arrested Ernest Ugbomoiko over the alleged fake claim.
• The report caused panic and prompted some schools to close temporarily.
• Residents were urged to verify information before sharing it online.

The clarification followed panic among residents after a video circulated online on Thursday, June 18, 2026, alleging that armed men had invaded the school premises and abducted students.

The Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, alongside security officials, confirmed that no such incident occurred at the school. According to the authorities, investigations showed that the viral report was a fabricated claim designed to create fear among residents.

The police also moved to address the situation and arrested a 42-year-old man identified as Ernest Ugbomoiko for allegedly circulating the false video and spreading similar unverified claims across different parts of Edo State.

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Officials said Ugbomoiko’s actions triggered unnecessary panic, forcing some schools to temporarily shut down as worried parents rushed to withdraw their children.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over school safety in parts of Nigeria, where cases of insecurity and attacks on educational institutions have increased public anxiety.

Authorities have urged residents to always verify information before sharing it on social media, warning that spreading false security reports can create fear, disrupt public activities, and put communities under unnecessary tension.