The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa State has detained 10 young people over their alleged involvement in prohibited secondary school graduation celebrations popularly known as “signed out.”
The arrests were carried out by the command’s Safe School Response Squad after receiving intelligence about planned activities involving students from Capital School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Demsawo, Doubelli and Damilu.
According to the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, DSC Nyako Amidu Baba, the suspects were allegedly involved in acts such as defacing their bodies with paint, destroying their school uniforms, engaging in street fights and other behaviours considered capable of disturbing public peace.
The command noted that the “signed out” trend has become a growing concern for parents, educators and the wider community. It recalled that the Adamawa State Ministry of Education had already prohibited the practice last year in a bid to curb its excesses.
The statement further alleged that this year’s celebrations took a more troubling turn, with some participants reportedly disguising themselves in school attire while engaging in criminal acts, including the theft of mobile phones and other valuables from members of the public.
Investigations also revealed that one of those arrested was wearing a school uniform despite not being a student. Authorities added that several of the suspects were not graduating students as initially believed but were instead in SS1 and SS2.
Following the arrests, the Adamawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Nasiru Saleh, ordered a thorough investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any other individuals connected to the activities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to preventing actions capable of disrupting academic activities, endangering public safety or threatening the wellbeing of students and residents.
Saleh also instructed the Safe School Response Squad to strengthen collaboration with school authorities and other stakeholders to improve preventive measures and maintain a safe learning environment across schools in the state.
The NSCDC said it is working closely with relevant school authorities to verify the identities of all students and other individuals linked to the incident.
