Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 10 students in Adamawa State for allegedly participating in the prohibited “Signed-Out” celebration, as authorities intensify enforcement of the state government’s directive banning the end-of-school festivities over security and public safety concerns.
The Nigeria Education News gathered that the arrests were carried out by the NSCDC Safe School Response Squad following intelligence reports linking students from Capital School, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Demsawo, Doubelli and Damilu to activities considered capable of disrupting public peace. Security officials alleged that some of the participants engaged in body painting, destruction of school uniforms, street fights and other acts that constituted public nuisance.
Investigations showed that the Adamawa State Ministry of Education had prohibited all forms of “Signed-Out” celebrations in public and private secondary schools in 2025 after repeated incidents of violence, disorderly conduct and other forms of misconduct associated with the practice. Education authorities have maintained that the restriction was introduced to safeguard students and prevent activities capable of exposing them to security risks.
Further findings indicate that this year’s enforcement followed reports that the celebrations had taken a more troubling dimension, with allegations that some individuals used the gatherings as cover for criminal activities, including disguising themselves in suspicious outfits and dispossessing members of the public of mobile phones and other valuables. These developments prompted security agencies to strengthen surveillance around schools and other locations where such gatherings were expected to occur.
According to the NSCDC, preliminary investigations revealed that not everyone apprehended was a graduating student. One suspect arrested in a school uniform was reportedly not a student of any of the affected schools, while several others were found to be students in SS1 and SS2 rather than final-year candidates, raising concerns about the involvement of non-graduating students and outsiders in the prohibited celebrations.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Nasiru Saleh, has directed a comprehensive investigation to establish the identities of all those involved and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. The command also disclosed that it is working closely with the affected schools to verify the identities of those arrested and identify any other individuals connected to the activities.
Investigations further revealed that the NSCDC has instructed its Safe School Response Squad to strengthen collaboration with school administrators, education authorities and other relevant institutions to improve preventive measures against activities capable of disrupting academic programmes or endangering students and surrounding communities.
Education experts note that while end-of-session celebrations are common in many schools, growing concerns over violence, vandalism, substance abuse and public disorder have prompted several education authorities across the country to review or prohibit such activities. They argue that schools should instead promote structured graduation ceremonies and supervised activities that celebrate students’ achievements without compromising safety and discipline.
The latest arrests underscore the determination of security agencies and education authorities in Adamawa State to enforce the ban and ensure that school environments remain safe, orderly and conducive to learning while protecting students and the wider public from activities capable of threatening public peace.
