Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed reports of alleged school kidnappings and the presence of bandits in parts of Osun State, describing the claims as false and urging residents to remain calm.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor said security checks conducted across border communities and other parts of the state confirmed that no kidnapping incident had occurred.
Adeleke assured residents that his administration had already put measures in place to safeguard schools across the state, noting that the Ministry of Education and relevant security agencies had developed and commenced the implementation of a security strategy.
The governor urged parents and guardians not to panic over the rumours, alleging that the false alarm was being circulated by opposition elements seeking to create fear and destabilise the state.
He also disclosed that Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) abandoned by the immediate past administration had been rehabilitated and were ready for deployment to strengthen security operations across the state.
According to Adeleke, the armoured vehicles were originally inherited from the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola but were left in a state of disrepair by the administration of Gboyega Oyetola.
The governor stated that his administration had refurbished the vehicles and would soon unveil a new security strategy aimed at enhancing the protection of lives and property in the state.
He further warned against acts capable of inciting criminal activities, stressing that local intelligence networks and security agencies were monitoring border communities and identified flashpoints across the state.
Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of schools, students, residents and public property, assuring citizens that every necessary step would be taken to maintain peace and security in Osun State.