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KEY POINTS

• Ademola Adeleke has ordered an immediate strengthening of school security in Osun following recent kidnappings in Oyo State.
• The governor directed intensified intelligence gathering around border and rural schools while ordering stronger collaboration between Amotekun and security partners.
• The move follows the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo, where gunmen attacked schools, killed a teacher and took several victims hostage.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed an immediate strengthening of security measures across schools in Osun State following the recent abduction of teachers and students in neighbouring Oyo State.

The governor ordered the revitalisation of the state’s Safe School Initiative amid growing fears that armed attacks on schools could spread into nearby states, particularly border communities and remote rural areas.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday.

According to the statement, the Osun State Government is determined to prevent any form of security breach within its educational institutions and has instructed relevant ministries and security agencies to urgently reinforce existing school protection structures.

“In the wake of recent school kidnappings in Oyo State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate revitalization of the Safe School Initiative by the Ministry of Education and other relevant government and security agencies,” the statement said.

As part of the new security measures, Governor Adeleke ordered intensified intelligence gathering around schools located in border areas and isolated communities considered vulnerable to attacks.

The governor stressed the need for proactive surveillance and improved security coordination to detect and prevent possible threats before they escalate.

“The governor additionally directed immediate beefing of intelligence gathering especially around schools located in border areas and remote sections of the state,” the statement added.

The move comes amid heightened concerns over the increasing rate of kidnappings and attacks targeting schools in parts of Nigeria despite repeated government assurances on school safety.

Amotekun, Security Agencies Ordered to Collaborate

Governor Ademola Adeleke also instructed the Osun Amotekun Corps to deepen collaboration with community-based organisations and non-governmental groups already assisting with school security operations across the state.

According to the statement, the governor wants a coordinated approach involving local security outfits, intelligence operatives and community stakeholders to ensure schools remain protected.

“The Amotekun security service was specifically instructed to strengthen the partnership with various non-government peace organisations currently providing security services across many schools within the state,” the statement noted.

The governor further directed his Special Adviser on Security Matters to work closely with heads of security agencies to implement the renewed Safe School strategy effectively.

“We are resolved to secure our pupils across our school system. Necessary steps are ongoing to improve security of schools especially in rural areas. The existing safe school plan will be strengthened,” Adeleke said.

He also assured parents, teachers and school administrators that the state government remained committed to safeguarding students and educational facilities.

The renewed security push in Osun follows the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men reportedly invaded schools, killed a teacher and abducted several students, pupils and staff members.

The attackers were said to have stormed LA Primary School and Community Grammar School in the Ahoro-Esiele Community on Friday, throwing the area into panic.

Following the incident, disturbing videos later surfaced online showing some of the abducted victims pleading for help from captivity.

In one of the videos, a nursing mother who identified herself as a staff member of First Baptist Church in Ogbomoso appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and church leaders to intervene and secure their release.

Another victim, identified as Mrs. Racheal Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, also appeared in a separate video begging authorities and Nigerians to rescue them before lives were lost.

The attack triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools, especially in rural communities vulnerable to criminal attacks