Oyo School Kidnap: Ondo LG chairman orders immediate closure of schools

The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Taiwo Adegoroye, has ordered the immediate closure of all public and private schools within the council area following rising security concerns across the country.

Recall that fear and uncertainty recently gripped communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following the coordinated attack on three educational institutions in the rural communities of Ahoro-Esin-Ile, Yawota and Alawusa after gunmen struck the communities and took dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive.

The directive, according to the Odigbo council chairman, is a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding pupils, students, teachers, and other education workers from possible security threats in the state.

Adegoroye, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday through his Special Assistant on New Media, Olatunji Babatunde, however, clarified that students currently participating in national examinations will be granted limited access to school premises strictly for the purpose of writing their exams.

According to him, any school authority found violating the closure order would face appropriate sanctions in line with extant laws.

He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and reduce unnecessary movements to further ensure their safety during the period.

The council chairman assured residents that his administration is working in close collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and security across the local government area.

He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing that the safety of residents remains a top priority.

Adegoroye further called on members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security authorities, noting that community cooperation is vital in addressing security challenges.