Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged residents to disregard reports of alleged school kidnappings in parts of the state, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, the governor assured citizens that adequate measures had been put in place to safeguard schools and maintain security across the state.
Adeleke attributed the rumours to mischief-makers seeking to create unnecessary panic, adding that investigations and fact-checks carried out in border communities and other areas confirmed that no school kidnapping incidents had occurred.
“I urge residents to continue their daily activities without fear. Our administration has taken proactive and decisive steps to secure schools throughout the state.
“The Ministry of Education, working closely with relevant security agencies, has developed and is implementing a comprehensive security framework to protect students, teachers, and educational facilities,” he said.
The governor appealed to parents and guardians to remain calm, stressing that the reports were entirely false and aimed at causing anxiety and destabilising public confidence.
Providing an update on the state’s security assets, Adeleke disclosed that Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) abandoned by the previous administration had been fully rehabilitated and were ready for deployment.
According to him, the vehicles were inherited in a damaged condition but have now been restored to support joint security operations across the state.
“The previous administration failed to maintain these APCs, leaving them in a state of disrepair. We have successfully refurbished them, and residents will soon witness a more robust security architecture designed to protect lives and property,” he said.
Adeleke also warned against actions capable of encouraging criminal activities, noting that local intelligence networks had been strengthened to monitor border communities and other vulnerable areas.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of schools, students, residents, and public property across the state.
“No stone will be left unturned in our efforts to guarantee the security of our schools, our children, and all citizens of Osun State,” the governor said.
