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The Edo State government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a kidnap threat against students.
The directive, contained in a circular issued by the State Ministry of Education and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, said the affected schools were Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.
The circular dated Tuesday, June 9, was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
According to NAN, the closure came against the backdrop of a security intelligence report by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The report 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.
According to the intelligence memo addressed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the DSS intercepted communications between two suspected bandits.
The two suspects allegedly discussed targeting school children after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield expected financial gains.
The report indicates that the suspects believed abducting students would attract greater government attention and increase their chances of securing substantial ransom payments and other concessions.
Furthermore, the memo revealed that 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 that the government subsequently shut down.
Based on the memo, the suspect’s activities intensified fears that preparations for the operation may already have been ongoing.
Responding to the threat, the security agency advised authorities to strengthen protection around schools and educational institutions across the state, particularly in Edo North.
Also, the DSS recommended deploying additional security personnel, enhancing collaboration among security agencies, local vigilante groups, and hunters, as well as intensifying patrols and surveillance in vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, in the memo directing the closure of the schools, the permanent secretary said that the decision followed security advisories from relevant agencies warning of threats to the safety of students, teachers and surrounding communities.
“The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of the Akoko Edo Local Government Area,” he said.
He added that all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools had been suspended until further notice as part of efforts to safeguard lives and property.
