Several public and private schools in Akure, the Ondo State capital, witnessed scenes of panic on Wednesday as parents and guardians rushed to withdraw their children following rumours of a planned bandit attack and alleged kidnapping threats in the city.
The rumour, which spread rapidly across the metropolis around midday, triggered anxiety among residents, leading to large crowds at school gates. While some parents succeeded in taking their children home, forcing a number of schools to close early, others chose to leave their wards in school after concluding that the reports were unverified.
TheFact Daily notes that the incident comes amid heightened public concern over insecurity in parts of the country. Akure and other communities in Ondo State have experienced attacks by armed groups in recent years. The latest scare also follows nationwide outrage over the recent attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where two teachers were killed and more than 40 pupils and staff abducted.
In response, the Ondo State Government dismissed the claims as false and unfounded. In a statement issued by Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the government said there was no record of any kidnapping incident in any educational institution in Akure.
“There is no record, report, or incident of kidnapping in any primary, secondary, or tertiary institution in Akure,” the statement said, assuring residents that all schools in the state capital remained safe.
The government added that security agencies, including the Police, Amotekun Corps and the Department of State Services (DSS), had assessed school environments across Akure and confirmed that normal activities were ongoing.
According to the statement, the state government is working closely with school authorities and parents to sustain existing security measures and ensure the safety of learners and staff.
Despite the official assurances, apprehensive parents continued to troop to schools, prompting some institutions to release students earlier than scheduled.
The government urged residents to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information capable of causing unnecessary fear and disruption.
“We urge members of the public, especially parents and guardians, to disregard the fake news and refrain from sharing unverified information that is capable of causing panic and anxiety,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its commitment to the safety of students and teachers, the government stressed that protecting lives in schools remains a priority of the Aiyedatiwa administration.
Residents with genuine security concerns were advised to report directly to the nearest police station or Amotekun office for prompt attention.
