Panic In Osun Over Alleged Bandits Invasion

Many public and private schools in Osun State were abruptly shut on Tuesday (today) following rumours of a possible bandit invasion in some communities.

Naija News understands that the panic affected schools in Ila, Odo Otin, Boripe, Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, where some schools reportedly closed before 11am.

In Osogbo, many parents stormed a public primary school at Sasa Area, Oke Baale, to pick up their children after the rumour spread.

A similar situation was recorded in Eweta, a community in Ikirun, off the Ikirun-Inisa Road, where anxious parents rushed to schools to withdraw their children before the official closing time.

Findings indicated that the rumour started around the Ila Orangun axis early on Tuesday.

Some residents had claimed that a schoolgirl was abducted at Faaje village along Oyan Road in Ila Orangun.

The claim quickly spread to Ila, the headquarters of Ila Local Government Area, and Oyan, a community in Odo Otin Local Government Area, causing fear among parents and school authorities.

However, further checks showed that the alleged abduction was false.

The girl at the centre of the rumour was said to have gone into hiding to avoid going to school.

According to The PUNCH, a security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment officially, said the false report spread rapidly before it was discovered that no abduction had occurred.

Adeleke Dismisses Kidnap Claim

Reacting, however, to the panic, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke reassured residents that there was no case of school kidnapping in the state.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said security checks across border communities and other parts of the state confirmed that the alarm was false.

Adeleke described the rumour as the “handiwork of evil opposition elements,” saying his administration had already taken steps to secure schools.

He 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 urged parents, guardians and residents not to panic, insisting that the state government was on top of the situation.

Adeleke said his administration had put in place measures to protect pupils, teachers and school facilities across the state.

He said the Ministry of Education and security agencies had developed a security strategy, which was already being implemented.

The governor added that the state’s Armoured Personnel Carriers had been refurbished and were ready for deployment where necessary.

According to him, the vehicles were inherited in poor condition but had now been repaired for use by security agencies under joint operations.

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.”

Adeleke warned those spreading false security information to desist, saying such actions could create unnecessary panic and endanger public peace.

He said the government would not tolerate attempts to incite fear or criminal conduct in the state.

The governor also disclosed that local intelligence networks were monitoring border towns and identified flashpoints to prevent any breach of security.

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