All schools closed in whole Anambra State as parents rushed to withdraw their children from school over a rumour of monkeypox injections on pupils by soldiers.
Reports say unknown gunmen and men dressed in military uniform, have reportedly invaded schools in Anambra State and were allegedly injecting pupils and students with anti-monkeypox vaccines.
Panic mode was activated in Asaba following alleged threats that the uniformed men would soon invade Delta State, The Sun reports.
At about 11:30 am, on Wednesday, anxious parents, in Asaba, had stormed schools to withdraw their children before the alleged killer vaccines could get to them.
At Uzoigwe Primary School, along Nnebisi Road, concerned parents allegedly broke down the gate of the school in desperate bid to pick up their children before official closing hour.
Meanwhile, in a press statement signed by the secretary to the Anambra State government Prof. Solo Chukwulobe, said that the attention of the State Government has been drawn to an ongoing medical outreach being undertaken by the Army in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.
It said that the state has been made to understand that the exercise is part of Army social responsibility to members of the public.
However, strong apprehension among the populace has followed the exercise leading to the withdrawal of students from schools by parents, misconception of the actual motive behind the exercise by stakeholders, community leaders and a general reservation by the public for whom the outreach is intended.
To this end and to ensure no further escalation of the situation the governor, Chief Willie Obiano has contacted the Army authorities and advised for immediate stoppage of the medical outreach until wide sensitisation is conducted to reassure people of its intentions and benefits.
The statement maintained that the exercise has therefore been put on hold and parents and guardians are strongly advised to stop withdrawing their wards from schools as the situation has been handled.
It stated that all schools within the state will remain open as there is no cause for alarm.
The State Government also blamed the social media for misrepresenting the situation with insinuations of spread of diseases and death of students in schools arising from the exercise.