10 Students Nabbed In Adamawa Over Violent ‘Signed Out’

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Adamawa State Command, has arrested 10 secondary school students for their alleged involvement in public nuisance, assault and suspected theft during celebrations marking the completion of their secondary school final examinations, popularly known as “Signed Out.”

The suspects were arrested by the Command’s Safe School Response Squad following reports of disruptive activities involving students from Capital School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Demsawo, Doubelli and Damilu.

Key Highlights:

• 10 students arrested over misconduct during “Signed Out” celebrations in Adamawa.
• Allegations: Public nuisance, assault and suspected theft.
• Police findings: One suspect was not a student; some were SS1 and SS2 students.
• Government response: Investigation launched; offenders will face prosecution.
• Warning: Students urged to celebrate responsibly and avoid criminal behaviour.

According to the NSCDC, the students allegedly engaged in acts including painting their bodies, tearing school uniforms, fighting on the streets and other activities considered capable of disturbing public peace and order.

The Command expressed concern over the growing trend, describing it as a source of worry for parents, school authorities and the general public. It noted that the Adamawa State Government, through the State Ministry of Education, had last year banned the practice due to security concerns associated with the celebrations.

The NSCDC further disclosed that this year’s celebrations took a more disturbing turn following reports that some individuals dressed in school uniforms allegedly robbed unsuspecting members of the public of mobile phones and other valuables.

During the operation, security operatives discovered that one of those arrested was wearing a school uniform despite not being a student. Preliminary investigations also revealed that some of the suspects were not final-year students as initially believed but were in Senior Secondary School (SS) 1 and SS2

Reacting to the development, the Adamawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Nasiru Saleh, ordered a comprehensive investigation to identify all those involved and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offences.

Saleh warned that the Corps would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace, threatening the safety of students or undermining the security of residents.

He 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 environments for teaching and learning.

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The NSCDC said it is working closely with relevant school authorities to verify the identities of the suspects and other individuals involved, adding that anyone found culpable after investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commandant urged parents and guardians to counsel their children against engaging in activities that could expose them to criminality or jeopardise their future. He also appealed to school administrators, community leaders and members of the public to support security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities around schools and public places.

Reaffirming the Corps’ commitment to protecting schools and maintaining public order, Saleh advised students to celebrate the completion of their examinations responsibly, stressing that such milestones should be marked with dignity rather than violence, intimidation, destruction of property or other criminal behaviour.