Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Government on Wednesday ordered an immediate, indefinite closure of three secondary schools in Akoko‑Edo Local Government Area after the Department of State Services (DSS) uncovered an alleged plot by armed bandits to kidnap students en masse. The directive, contained in a circular signed by Permanent Secretary Enodolomwanyi Otamere of the State Ministry of Education, named the affected institutions as Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School.
The action followed a June 5 security memo from the DSS to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, which warned that suspected bandits were specifically targeting schoolchildren in the Edo North Senatorial District. Intelligence intercepts disclosed that two suspects, one identified as “Bawa” (allegedly from Zamfara) and another named “Nuhu”, had shifted their focus to schools after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield the expected ransom. According to the memo, the plotters believed that seizing pupils would attract greater government attention and substantially raise the potential for a higher ransom and other concessions.
The urgency of the threat was heightened when a 25‑year‑old suspect, later named as Emmanuel Momidu, was arrested on June 4 while apparently conducting surveillance at Makeke Secondary School – one of the three institutions later shut down. The arrest, made by security operatives, suggested that preparations for a mass kidnap operation might have already been in an advanced stage.
In his closure order, Permanent Secretary Otamere explained that the decision was a precautionary measure to safeguard students, teachers and school communities from a “credible” threat. “The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of the Akoko‑Edo Local Government Area,” he said. He directed school principals to secure their premises, ensure an orderly release of students to parents and guardians, and maintain close communication with government and security authorities.
Crucially, the government made an exception for candidates sitting the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination. In the same circular, Otamere stated that the ministry would allow WASSCE candidates to access examination centres but only under strict security supervision. “Candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) shall be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements and supervision as may be provided by the relevant security agencies and community stakeholders,” he said.
The intelligence memo noted that the DSS had already advised authorities to reinforce school security, especially in Edo North, through the deployment of additional personnel, closer collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters, and intensified patrols and surveillance in vulnerable communities.
The state government urged parents and residents of the affected communities to remain calm, cooperate with security forces, and provide any useful information that could help dismantle the planned operation. While the immediate threat halted regular academic activities, the express provision for supervised WASSCE sittings ensured that affected final‑year students were not disenfranchised at the height of the national examination.
No injuries or abductions have been reported in connection with the plot. Investigations continue, and the closure remains in force pending a further security review.
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