Adeleke dismisses rumoured bandits’ invasion as Osun schools shut in panic

Several public and private schools across Osun State were forced to close early on Tuesday after rumours of an impending bandit attack spread across communities, causing panic among parents and school authorities.

Schools in Ila, Odo Otin, Boripe, Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas reportedly suspended activities before 11 a.m. as fear gripped residents.

At the Sasa area of Oke Baale in Osogbo, anxious parents hurried to a public primary school to take their children home following reports of a possible security threat.

A similar situation unfolded in the Eweta community near Ikirun-Inisa Road, where parents flocked to schools to pick up their children ahead of the normal closing time.

Investigations later revealed that the alarm originated in the Ila-Orangun area early on Tuesday morning. Reports circulating within the community claimed that a schoolgirl had been abducted in Faaje village along Oyan Road.

However, further findings showed that the report was false, as the girl at the centre of the claim had allegedly hidden herself to avoid going to school.

A security source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said the unverified report quickly spread across Ila-Orangun and neighbouring Oyan community, triggering widespread fear.

Responding to the development, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke assured residents that schools remained safe and urged the public to disregard what he described as false kidnapping alerts circulating in parts of the state.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor blamed the rumour on what he called the “handiwork of evil opposition elements,” stressing that security checks conducted in border communities and other parts of the state confirmed there had been no kidnapping incident.

“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 said.

Adeleke urged parents and guardians not to panic, insisting that the reports were fabricated and aimed at creating unrest in the state.

He also disclosed that the state’s Armoured Personnel Carriers had been fully refurbished and were ready for deployment to strengthen security operations.

According to him, his administration inherited the “knocked down APCs in various locations,” explaining that they had since been repaired and restored for use by security agencies where necessary.

“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 noted.

Adeleke further warned against attempts to incite panic or criminal activities, noting that local intelligence networks and security agencies were closely monitoring border communities and identified flashpoints.

“No stone will be left unturned to guarantee the security of our schools, our pupils, residents, citizens and properties”, the governor added.