A 49-year-old teacher, Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during last Friday’s bandits’ invasion of schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has been laid to rest amid growing anxiety over the safety of students and teachers.
Adegboye was buried on Friday in Ogbomoso following a solemn funeral service attended by family members, colleagues and sympathisers, who decried the rising wave of attacks on schools in the state.
The late teacher was reportedly shot dead when armed assailants stormed three schools in the Oriire axis, abducting an unspecified number of students and staff in a brazen daylight operation that has since triggered widespread panic.
The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
The incident has forced many parents to withdraw their children from school, while academic activities were disrupted in several parts of Ogbomoso and adjoining communities over fears of further attacks.
In response, the Oyo State Government announced an immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips and inter-school activities across the state, citing security concerns.
A circular issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and signed by its Permanent Secretary, B.T. Oyinloye, directed all public and private schools to halt activities that require movement of students خارج school premises.
The directive, which was addressed to the Teaching Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board, principals and head teachers, emphasised the need to prioritise the safety of learners.
It also instructed school authorities to heighten vigilance, restrict unnecessary movement, and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
“This measure is a proactive step to safeguard students and staff in view of recent security developments. It will remain in force pending improvement in the security situation,” the circular stated.
Meanwhile, security operatives have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted victims, with additional personnel reportedly deployed to the affected communities.
The attack has further heightened concerns over the vulnerability of schools in the South-West, an area previously considered relatively safer compared to other parts of the country plagued by banditry.
Residents and stakeholders have since called on the Federal and Oyo State governments to strengthen security architecture around schools to prevent a recurrence of such deadly incidents.
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