The Government has suspended all school excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and other off-campus activities following the deadly coordinated abduction attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The decision comes as funeral rites were held for slain teacher Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the attacks carried out by armed bandits in the Ogbomoso area. According to reports by , Adegboye, 49, was laid in state at Ayegun Baptist Church in Ogbomoso before being buried at his residence in the Owolake area of the town.
The attacks targeted several schools, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. During the coordinated assault, several teachers and students were abducted, throwing Ogbomoso and surrounding communities into panic and fear.
Governor confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one person was killed during the incident.
The attacks sparked widespread anxiety among parents and residents, with many rushing to schools to withdraw their children over fears of further attacks. Some schools reportedly shut down temporarily after rumours spread that bandits had infiltrated , although the institution later dismissed the claims as false.
In response to the worsening security concerns, the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced sweeping safety measures affecting both public and private schools across the state. A circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. B.T. Oyinloye, directed all school administrators to immediately suspend excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any activity requiring students to leave school premises.
The circular noted that the directive became necessary because of “recent security concerns” and stressed that the safety of students and staff must take priority over academic and extracurricular activities. School administrators were also instructed to keep students within school premises during school hours and to report any suspicious activities around schools to law enforcement agencies.
Authorities said the directive takes immediate effect and will remain in place until the security situation improves. The development has further heightened concerns over the growing threat of school-related kidnappings and insecurity in southwestern Nigeria.
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