Alleged plot to abduct schoolchildren: Edo govt reopens schools days after closure

Edo State Reopens Schools Following Security Review

Edo State officials have ordered the immediate reopening of three schools in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, just four days after their closure due to security concerns.

On June 9, 2026, the Edo State Ministry of Education temporarily shut down Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School. This decision followed reports of an alleged planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in the Edo North senatorial district.

In a recent circular, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, stated that students currently enrolled in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) may resume their tests under enhanced security protocols.

Effective June 15, 2026, the affected schools will reopen, with the implementation of additional safety measures in place across these institutions and their communities. Otamere expressed confidence in the state’s preparations to safeguard students, teachers, and educational staff.

“The security situation has been comprehensively reviewed in collaboration with relevant agencies and stakeholders,” Otamere stated. He confirmed that all public and private schools previously included in the closure order should resume regular academic activities.

Educational leaders, administrators, and relevant authorities have been instructed to ensure safe conditions for the return of students and staff, with ongoing collaboration with security agencies and community leaders emphasized.

Otamere assured parents and guardians that adequate security measures are now in place statewide. He called on families to ensure students return to school without delay, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining a safe educational environment.

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