Bandit threat: Ekiti shutdown school over insecurity fright

Heightened fears over suspected bandit activities near a community forced the management of Ayetoro-Iloro High School in Ekiti State to ask the staff and students to leave and shut the school gate before the usual closing time.

Videos shared online, including on the X handle @dammiedammie35, showed frightened students running along major roads and seeking help from motorists and residents as fear spread across the area.

The situation created tension among parents and residents, many of whom rushed to pick up their children.

However, there was no record of attack on the school or kidnapping in the community, but the incident raised fresh concerns about insecurity in rural communities and schools across the state.

According to the report, residents explained that the panic began after rumours spread that armed men had been sighted in nearby areas, fuelling fears of a possible attack.

Hence, the school authorities in order to protect students and staff, reportedly decided to end academic activities earlier than usual.

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Consequently, some stakeholders within the community have called on security agencies to increase surveillance around schools, particularly in remote communities vulnerable to criminal activity.

A concerned citizen who spoke with journalists said, “We cannot continue to live in fear every day. Government must deploy more security personnel to these rural communities before something terrible happens.”

While another person called authorities to establish military and police checkpoints on major roads linking villages in the area to reassure residents and deter possible attacks.

In the face of the panic, some parents were seen searching for their children to ensure they are safe, while some were urging for calmness as they await an official response from security agencies.
However, the Ekiti State government has not made any public pronouncement concerning the development.

Similarly, the state police command is yet to issue any directive over the allegation.

Recall that on Friday, May 15, unknown gunmen invaded two schools in Oyo State and kidnapped schools children and teachers.