Oyo Makes U-Turn, Orders Reopening of Schools After Gunmen Attack

The Oyo State Government has reversed its earlier directive shutting down public primary schools in four local government areas following Friday’s deadly gunmen attack and abduction of pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.

The government announced that all affected schools in Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire and Olorunsogo local government areas would reopen on Monday after additional security operatives were deployed to the affected communities.

The closure was initially ordered after unknown gunmen invaded LEA School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, on Friday morning, abducting an unspecified number of pupils and killing a teacher during the attack.

The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, had earlier directed the temporary closure and evacuation of schools to allow security agencies stabilise the affected areas.

However, in a fresh statement issued later, Adeniran said the state government had now approved the reopening of the schools following a comprehensive security review and reinforcement of security measures.

According to him, the latest decision was reached after security agencies assured the government of improved surveillance and protection across the affected communities.

He stated that the safety of pupils and teachers remains a top priority for the state government and added that coordinated security operations under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police had significantly strengthened security around schools in the affected axis.

Adeniran reassured parents and guardians that learning activities could safely resume without fear, noting that the government would continue to monitor developments closely in collaboration with local authorities and community leaders.

“Parents and guardians are strongly urged to remain calm, as security agencies have assured the government of sustained surveillance and protection across all identified communities,” he said.

He also appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of creating panic, assuring that the government would continue to provide updates as necessary.

The incident had earlier sparked fear across the state after reports emerged that several pupils were kidnapped during the attack while a teacher was killed in the line of duty.