False school attack claim underscores Nigeria's ongoing security costs
The Nigerian government dismissed false rumors of an attack on a girls' school in Borno State, highlighting a persistent security crisis that continues to impose heavy economic and social costs on the country.
The Federal Ministry of Education denied reports that Federal Government Girls’ College in Monguno, Borno State, was attacked. The ministry stated the school remains safe, with all students and staff accounted for and academic activities continuing normally.
“The Federal Ministry of Education has categorically refuted reports alleging that Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State, was attacked, describing the claims as false, misleading and capable of causing unnecessary panic among parents, guardians and the general public,” the ministry said. Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa emphasized that learner safety across all Federal Government Colleges remains a top priority.
For investors and executives, the rapid spread of such rumors reflects a deeply entrenched climate of insecurity that carries direct economic implications. According to SBM Intelligence, at least N2.56 billion was paid in ransoms between July 2024 and June 2025. During that period, 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 separate incidents, with 762 fatalities linked to abduction-related violence.
This violence disrupts long-term labor force development. UNICEF estimates that insecurity forced the closure of 11,536 schools during the 2020/2021 academic year, disrupting education for approximately 1.3 million children. Save the Children International reported that at least 1,683 learners were abducted between 2014 and 2022, a figure that does not include the 42 pupils taken by suspected Islamist militants in Askira-Uba, Borno State, in May 2026.
The federal government is attempting to mitigate these operational risks through legislative and security shifts. In December 2025, authorities designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, integrating mass abductions into the country's counterterrorism framework. President Bola Tinubu also increased police force recruitment targets from 30,000 to 50,000 officers to bolster internal security capacity.
Most significantly for fiscal planning, Tinubu recently transmitted the State Police Bill to the House of Representatives. If approved by the National Assembly and 24 state assemblies, it would create a dual federal and state policing system. However, the proposal faces uncertainty regarding funding streams, operational capacity, and the potential for political interference—factors that international investors will monitor closely as they assess Nigeria's sovereign risk profile.
