Edo reopens three schools after kidnap threat closure

The Edo State Government has reopened three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area after temporarily shutting them down on June 9, 2026 over intelligence reports of a possible kidnap threat targeting students and staff.

The schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School, and Makeke Secondary School were ordered closed on June 9 as a precautionary measure following a security alert reportedly issued by intelligence agencies warning of a potential abduction plot in the area.

Authorities confirmed that the schools were officially reopened on June 13, 2026, after a fresh security assessment indicated that the immediate threat had been neutralised and that adequate safety measures had been put in place.

According to the state government, the decision followed consultations with security agencies, including reviews of intelligence reports and field assessments carried out in affected communities. Officials said additional security deployments had been made around school environments, with increased surveillance of major access routes into Akoko-Edo.

The government explained that the reopening was necessary to restore normal academic activities while ensuring that students, teachers, and other school staff operate in a safe environment.

Kidnapping threats against schools have remained a recurring security concern in Nigeria in recent years, particularly in northern and some parts of southern states, forcing authorities to adopt emergency closures and heightened security measures whenever credible intelligence is received.

The closure had sparked concern among parents and residents, many of whom praised the government’s quick response while also expressing worry over disruptions to academic activities, especially for students preparing for examinations.

Education officials in Edo State have now urged parents and guardians to ensure students return to school, assuring them that security agencies are maintaining close surveillance and working with local communities to prevent any security breach.

Residents have also been encouraged to report suspicious movements or activities to security authorities, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen early warning systems and community-based security responses.

Normal academic activities are expected to resume immediately in all three schools, with authorities monitoring the situation closely in the coming days to prevent any recurrence of security threats.

© 2026 Aliu Azeema |

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