Oyo Tightens School Safety Measures After Deadly Ogbomoso Attack

The Oyo State Government has suspended all school excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and other off-campus activities following the deadly abduction attacks that rocked parts of Oriire Local Government Area last week.

The decision came as family members, colleagues, and residents gathered in Ogbomoso on Friday to pay their final respects to slain teacher, Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the coordinated attacks on schools in the area.

Adegboye, 49, was laid in state at Ayegun Baptist Church before being buried at his residence in the Owolake area of Ogbomoso. Born on December 11, 1976, the late teacher was among the victims of the violent invasion carried out by armed bandits at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.

The attacks triggered panic across Ogbomoso and nearby communities as students and teachers were abducted during the coordinated operation. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed that seven students were kidnapped from Community Secondary School, while 18 pupils and seven teachers were abducted from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one person lost their life in the incident.

In the aftermath of the attacks, fear spread rapidly among parents and residents, many of whom rushed to withdraw their children from schools over concerns about further violence. Some schools reportedly shut down temporarily after rumours circulated claiming that bandits had infiltrated Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. The institution later dismissed the reports as false.

Amid rising anxiety over school safety, the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced a series of emergency security measures affecting both public and private schools across the state.

In a circular signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs B.T. Oyinloye, all school administrators were directed to suspend activities that require students to leave school premises until further notice. The circular was addressed to education stakeholders across the state, including TESCOM, SUBEB, tutor-generals, zonal directors, principals, and head teachers.

According to the ministry, the directive became necessary due to growing security concerns and the need to protect students and staff members.

The circular stressed that previously approved trips and external activities had been cancelled with immediate effect. School administrators were also instructed to ensure that students remain within school premises during school hours and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

The government emphasized that the safety of students and school personnel remains a top priority and that the restrictions would remain in place until the security situation improves.

The latest development highlights the growing concerns over insecurity in schools and the increasing pressure on authorities to strengthen protection for students, teachers, and educational institutions across Oyo State.