Several public and private schools across parts of Osun State shut down on Tuesday after rumours of a bandit invasion triggered panic among parents and residents.
The scare affected schools in Ila, Odo Otin, Boripe, Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, with some closing before 11am.
This was as concerned parents rushed to pick up their children.
At Sasa Area in Oke Baale, Osogbo, parents trooped to public primary schools following reports of an alleged security threat.
A similar situation played out in Eweta community in Ikirun, where many parents arrived at schools before closing time to take their children home.
Investigations indicated that the rumour originated in the Ila-Orangun area early on Tuesday.
Some residents claimed that a schoolgirl had been abducted at Faaje village along Oyan Road in Ila-Orangun.
However, further checks revealed that the claim was false, with the girl reportedly going into hiding to avoid attending school.
A security source said the unverified report quickly spread across Ila Local Government Area and neighbouring Oyan community in Odo Otin Local Government Area, fuelling panic among residents.
Reacting to the development, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, urged residents to ignore what he described as false reports of school kidnappings.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said security agencies and the Ministry of Education had already put measures in place to protect schools across the state.
Adeleke said: “I task our people to go about their normal activities without fear.
“Our government has taken steps to secure our schools.
“The Ministry of Education and the relevant security agencies have worked out a security strategy that is being implemented.”
The governor described the rumour as the handiwork of “evil opposition elements” and insisted that checks conducted across border communities and other parts of the state confirmed that no kidnapping had occurred.
He reassured parents and guardians that there was no cause for alarm and said the state government remained committed to the safety of pupils and residents.
Adeleke also disclosed that the state’s Armoured Personnel Carriers had been rehabilitated and were ready for deployment.
He said: “The Oyetola administration inherited the APCs from the Aregbesola administration.
“The last administration however left them to rot.
“My government has rehabilitated them and the public will soon witness a new security plan to strengthen the security of lives and properties in Osun state.”
The governor warned against actions capable of inciting criminal conduct and said intelligence networks were actively monitoring border communities and identified flashpoints.
He added: “No stone will be left unturned to guarantee the security of our schools, our pupils, residents, citizens and properties.”
More details here...
