Edo Closes Three Schools In Akoko Edo Over Planned Student Abduction

The Edo State government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko Edo Local Government Area after receiving credible intelligence of a planned mass abduction of students by suspected bandits.

A circular issued by the State Ministry of Education and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Mr Enodolomwanyi Otamere, directed the shutdown of Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School. The circular dated June 9 stated that the decision followed security advisories warning of threats to students, staff and school communities in parts of the local government area.

All academic and non academic activities in the affected schools have been suspended until further notice. However, candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination will continue to access examination centres under strict security arrangements provided by relevant agencies and community stakeholders.

The closure stems from a Department of State Services intelligence memo dated June 5 and addressed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The memo warned of an alleged plan by suspected bandits to carry out mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District. It detailed intercepted communications between two suspects who discussed shifting targets to schools after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield expected financial gains. The suspects reportedly believed that abducting students would draw greater government attention and raise their chances of securing substantial ransom payments and other concessions.

The memo also revealed that a 25 year old suspect was arrested on June 4 while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School. His activities raised fears that preparations for the operation were already underway. The DSS recommended strengthening protection around schools across the state, particularly in Edo North, through deployment of additional security personnel, enhanced collaboration among agencies, local vigilante groups and hunters, as well as intensified patrols and surveillance in vulnerable communities.

In the closure circular, Mr Otamere said principals must ensure orderly release of students to parents and guardians, secure school facilities and maintain close communication with government and security agencies. He urged parents and residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as efforts continue to neutralise the threat and restore normal academic activities.

This proactive step occurs amid a national pattern of school targeted kidnappings, where armed groups have increasingly viewed educational institutions as high value targets for ransom and attention. Recent months have seen multiple such incidents across different states, underscoring the vulnerability of learning environments and the impact on already high numbers of out of school children estimated nationally at over 18 million.

The Edo response highlights the role of timely intelligence sharing in enabling preventive action, contrasting with more reactive approaches observed elsewhere. Lawmakers and security analysts have repeatedly called for stronger coordination and non kinetic measures alongside kinetic operations to address the socio economic drivers behind such criminal shifts.