Governor Reassures Residents, Says No Student Was Kidnapped, Refurbished Armoured Vehicles Set for Deployment
A wave of anxiety swept across parts of Osun State following reports and social media claims alleging kidnappings in some schools. However, in a statement available to OneForAllMedia, Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed the reports as false, reassuring residents that there was no recorded case of school kidnapping anywhere in the state.
The governor's intervention comes amid growing public concern over security challenges in parts of Nigeria, with many parents expressing fears over the safety of their children.
According to Governor Adeleke, extensive fact-checking conducted by security agencies and local intelligence networks across border communities and other parts of the state confirmed that no student was abducted.
"I task our people to go about their normal activities without fear. Our government has taken steps to secure our schools. The Ministry of Education and the relevant security agencies have worked out a security strategy that is being implemented," the governor stated.
Why Adeleke Says Parents Should Not Panic
The governor urged parents, guardians and school administrators not to be alarmed by the circulating rumours, insisting that the reports were deliberately designed to create panic and undermine public confidence.
He maintained that his administration had already activated a comprehensive security framework aimed at protecting schools, students and educational facilities across Osun State.
Government sources disclosed that security agencies have increased surveillance around vulnerable locations while intelligence gathering has been strengthened to prevent any potential threat.
Refurbished Armoured Vehicles Ready for Action
Beyond addressing the kidnapping scare, Governor Adeleke also unveiled a major security upgrade involving the rehabilitation of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) inherited by his administration.
According to the governor, the vehicles were found in a damaged and abandoned state after years of neglect but have now been fully refurbished and prepared for deployment.
The armoured vehicles are expected to support joint security operations across strategic locations in the state as part of a broader effort to enhance the protection of lives and property.
"The Oyetola administration inherited the APCs from the Aregbesola administration. The last administration however left them to rot. My government has rehabilitated them and the public will soon witness a new security plan to strengthen the security of lives and properties in Osun State," Adeleke said.
Security Agencies Monitoring Border Communities
Governor Adeleke further disclosed that security operatives and local intelligence networks have intensified monitoring activities in border towns and identified hotspots across the state.
He warned against attempts to spread false information capable of causing unrest, stressing that those seeking to destabilize the state would be closely watched by security agencies.
The governor emphasized that protecting residents remains a top priority of his administration and vowed to continue investing in measures that guarantee public safety.
What This Means for Osun Residents
The governor's reassurance is expected to calm fears among residents, particularly parents who became concerned after reports of alleged school kidnappings surfaced online.
With the deployment of refurbished armoured vehicles, enhanced intelligence gathering and ongoing collaboration among security agencies, the state government says it is strengthening its readiness to respond to emerging security threats.
For now, the Adeleke administration insists there is no cause for panic and has urged residents to rely on verified information from official sources rather than unverified social media reports.
As security agencies continue surveillance operations across the state, the government maintains that Osun remains safe and that every necessary step is being taken to protect schools, communities and public infrastructure.
