The Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following a security alert warning of a planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in parts of the state.
The directive was contained in a circular dated June 9 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Education, Enodolomwanyi Otamere.
The action followed a leaked intelligence report from the Department of State Services (DSS), which warned that suspected bandits were plotting to target schools, particularly within the Edo North Senatorial District.
The confidential memo, dated June 5 and addressed to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State, indicated that intelligence intercepts had revealed discussions between two suspected bandits identified as Bawa and Nuhu regarding plans to kidnap schoolchildren.
According to the report, the suspects allegedly concluded that previous attempts to abduct wealthy individuals had not yielded the expected financial gains, prompting them to shift attention to schoolchildren in the belief that such kidnappings would attract greater government attention and potentially result in higher ransom payments.
“During the conversation, the duo disclosed their plans to kidnap schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District, as previous attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals had not yielded the expected financial gains,” the intelligence report stated.
“To this end, they concluded that abducting schoolchildren would attract greater government attention and potentially increase the likelihood of huge ransom payments and concessions.”
The report further disclosed that a 25-year-old man identified as Emmanuel Momidu was arrested on June 4 while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in Makeke Community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
In response to the threat, the DSS advised security agencies to strengthen security around schools and other educational institutions, particularly in vulnerable communities across Edo North.
The agency recommended the deployment of security personnel to at-risk schools in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, local vigilante groups and hunters. It also called for increased patrols and enhanced surveillance to deter potential attacks.
Senior DSS officials later confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence report but expressed concern over its circulation in the public domain.
Speaking on the development, a senior security official noted that intelligence alerts of this nature are routinely shared among security agencies to facilitate preventive action and are not intended for public dissemination.
The official criticised the leak of the document, stressing that attention should be focused on addressing the threat rather than exposing confidential security communications.
“Sister agencies from other states facing insurgency have been receiving such communications. It does not come out public,” the official said.
“The NSCDC should learn how to handle confidential communication while acting.”
As of the time of filing this report, the NSCDC had not issued an official statement regarding the leaked intelligence memo.
The latest development comes amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity in Edo State, where incidents of kidnapping have become increasingly frequent on highways, within communities and around educational institutions.
The closure of the affected schools is expected to remain in place pending further security assessments and measures aimed at protecting students and staff from potential attacks.