Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following a chilling security alert from the Department of State Services (DSS).
The DSS, in a memo dated June 5, warned of an alleged plan by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction of school children in Edo North Senatorial District.
The affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School. The directive was contained in a circular dated June 9 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Enodolomwanyi Otamere.
According to the DSS advisory, intelligence indicated that two suspects one identified as “BAWA,” suspected to be of Fulani extraction from Zamfara State, and another tion from Zamfara State, and another named “NUHU” were intercepted discussing plans to target schoolchildren. The suspects reportedly turned to abducting students after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to generate the expected financial returns, believing that targeting students would attract greater government attention and better chances of securing large ransom payments.
A 25-year-old suspect was arrested on June 4 while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in the Makeke community one of the schools subsequently shut by the government.
All academic and non-academic activities in the three schools have been suspended indefinitely as a precautionary measure to safeguard lives and prevent potential attacks.
Governor Okpebholo, who has been vocal about the rising insecurity across Nigeria, blamed what he described as politically motivated sponsors of insecurity for the wave of kidnappings and violent crimes in the state, warning criminals and their backers to desist.
This development comes weeks after a devastating attack in Oyo State, where armed bandits reportedly attacked three schools along the Oriire axis in Ogbomoso, abducting about 39pupils and seven teachers, with one kidnapped teacher later allegedly beheaded by his abductors sparking nationwide outrage.
Nigerian parents and citizens are once again asking the hard questions: How safe are our children in school?
Stay with PORTHARCOURTBLOG for updates on this developing story.
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