The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State says it has stepped up security operations across the state ahead of the Imoka Festival and political party primaries taking place on Saturday.

The agency also reassured Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, of continued protection under the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, as concerns over public safety and school security continue to grow nationwide.

The announcements were made in separate statements issued by the NSCDC Anambra State Command on 22 and 23 May 2026.

Security tightened ahead of festival and political activities

The State Commandant of the NSCDC in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, said residents should cooperate with security agencies during the Imoka Festival and political party primaries.

According to the Command, officers have been deployed to key locations across the state to prevent violence, maintain public order, and protect lives and property.

In an operational directive released ahead of the events, Commandant Maku instructed Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and heads of tactical units to personally supervise security operations in their areas.

“The aim is to guarantee full security coverage, uphold law and order, and safeguard lives and property throughout the period,” the statement said.

The NSCDC warned against violence, voter intimidation, public display of weapons, and any activity capable of disrupting peace during the celebrations and political gatherings.

Residents were also advised against erecting structures that could block roads or hinder movement during the events.

Why the Imoka Festival matters

The Imoka Festival is one of the major traditional festivals celebrated in parts of Anambra State, attracting large crowds, cultural groups, traders, and visitors.

Security experts say such gatherings require increased surveillance because of the risk of crowd-related incidents, political clashes, and opportunistic crimes.

Political analysts also note that party primaries in Nigeria are often tense due to competition among aspirants and supporters, making coordinated security operations critical.

NSCDC assures FGGC Onitsha of school protection

In a separate development, the NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to securing schools in Anambra under the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative.

The assurance came during a familiarisation visit by the newly posted Principal of Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha, Mrs Cornelina Ukama, to the NSCDC headquarters in Awka.

Mrs Ukama thanked the Corps for what she described as years of consistent security support to the school.

She also pledged closer collaboration with the agency on student safety, discipline, emergency preparedness, and security awareness programmes.

Responding, Commandant Maku said the protection of schools remained a priority for the Corps.

“The protection of schools, students, and staff remains a top priority under our mandate. In line with the Safe Schools Initiative, we will sustain and improve our collaboration to ensure a secure learning environment free from threats,” he said.

He added that the NSCDC would continue to provide rapid response support and security coverage to educational institutions across the state.

Growing concern over school security in Nigeria

School safety has become a major national issue in recent years following incidents of attacks, kidnappings, and insecurity affecting learning environments in different parts of Nigeria.

The Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative was introduced to strengthen security coordination around schools and improve emergency response systems.

Security advocates say collaboration between schools, local communities, and security agencies is essential to reducing risks and improving student safety.

What’s next

The NSCDC said it would continue working with other security agencies before, during, and after the Imoka Festival and political primaries.

The Command also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or threats to the nearest security formation.

Officials from the school and the NSCDC further agreed to strengthen cooperation through emergency drills, sensitisation programmes, and intelligence sharing.

The police commands in Ogun State and Oyo State have denied reports circulating online alleging the imposition of curfews and restrictions on movement in parts of the two states.

In separate statements issued on Friday, both commands described the reports as false, misleading, and capable of creating panic among residents.

The Ogun State Police Command said there was “no curfew or restriction of movement” anywhere in the state and assured residents that security personnel had been strategically deployed to maintain law and order.

The command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said residents should continue with their daily activities without fear.

“The security situation across the state remains peaceful and under control,” the statement said.

Similarly, the Oyo State Police Command dismissed rumours suggesting restrictions within or outside Ibadan.

Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka said there were “no security concerns warranting panic or apprehension”.

Why the Rumours Matter

The statements come amid growing concerns over the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms and messaging apps in Nigeria.

False security alerts and unverified reports have increasingly triggered fear, disrupted movement, and affected commercial activities in several parts of the country.

Security analysts say misinformation during tense periods can create avoidable panic and undermine public confidence in official institutions.

Police Warn Against Spreading False Information

The Oyo State Police Command warned individuals against spreading rumours capable of causing “panic, fear, and emotional distress”.

The command said anyone found circulating false information could face investigation and prosecution under the law.

Authorities also stressed that any genuine security directive would only be communicated through verified police channels and official media platforms.

Residents in both states were encouraged to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities.

Emergency Contacts Released

The Ogun State Police Command asked residents to report emergencies through its official emergency numbers, including the toll-free Gateway Shield line.

The Oyo State Police Command also urged residents to use its emergency response channels, including the state’s toll-free emergency line 615.

What Happens Next?

Security agencies in both states say monitoring and patrol operations will continue across major towns and highways.

Police authorities also indicated they may intensify efforts to trace the origin of viral misinformation capable of threatening public order.

For residents, the message from both commands remains clear: there is currently no curfew in either Ogun or Oyo states.

A viral video claiming to show the recent arrest of suspected kidnappers in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, has been confirmed as old footage from 2024, amid growing concerns over misinformation on social media.

The clarification follows renewed circulation of the clip across X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and other social media platforms, where users falsely presented the footage as a fresh security incident.

The post at the centre of the circulation can be viewed here: [X post showing the resurfaced video](https://x.com/fineurl9128/status/2057139682308219343?s=46

Authorities urge caution over misinformation

In a statement issued to calm public concerns, officials said the footage did not depict a recent operation and warned against spreading unverified security-related content online.

“The video circulating online showing the arrest of suspected kidnappers in Ijebu-Igbo is old footage from 2024 and not recent,” the clarification stated.

“The public is advised to disregard misleading claims and verify information before sharing.”

The clarification comes at a time when insecurity and kidnapping reports remain highly sensitive issues across parts of Nigeria, often triggering panic among residents whenever videos or rumours emerge online.

Why the clarification matters

False or recycled security footage has increasingly become a challenge for authorities and fact-checkers in Nigeria, especially on fast-moving social media platforms.

Security analysts say misleading videos can heighten public fear, damage trust in official communication, and distract security agencies from ongoing operations.

Digital media experts also warn that old videos frequently resurface during periods of heightened public anxiety, sometimes without context or timestamps.

According to media literacy advocates, users should check publication dates, credible news reports, and official statements before reposting alarming content.

Social media and the spread of recycled videos

The resurfacing of old clips has become a recurring issue in Nigeria’s online information space.

Experts say videos are often reposted without dates, captions are altered, and older incidents are reframed as current events to generate engagement or provoke reactions.

Residents in Ogun State also expressed concern that unverified reports could create unnecessary fear within communities already dealing with security anxieties.

Calls for responsible sharing

Authorities and media experts are urging Nigerians to rely on credible news organisations and official security channels when verifying incidents related to crime and public safety.

They also advised users to avoid forwarding videos or claims that lack clear dates, locations, or confirmation from trusted sources.

What’s next?

Observers say the latest incident may renew calls for stronger digital literacy campaigns and quicker fact-checking responses from both government agencies and independent media organisations.

As misinformation continues to evolve online, analysts argue that public awareness remains one of the strongest tools against false narratives.