By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The Ondo State Government and the Ondo State Police Command have dismissed reports circulating on social media and messaging platforms alleging incidents of kidnapping in schools and the presence of bandits within Akure metropolis, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In separate statements issued on Tuesday, both authorities reassured residents, parents, students and school administrators that there was no security threat in the state capital and urged the public to disregard unverified information capable of creating panic.
The state government, through the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said there was no record or report of any kidnapping incident in any primary, secondary or tertiary institution within Akure.
According to the statement, all schools in the state capital remain safe and are operating normally without any disruption to academic activities.
The government disclosed that security agencies, including the Police, Amotekun Corps and the Department of State Services (DSS), had conducted assessments of school environments across Akure and confirmed that the situation remained peaceful.
It added that strict security measures had been maintained in collaboration with school authorities and parents to safeguard pupils, students and teachers.
“The Government categorically states that there is no record, report, or incident of kidnapping in any primary, secondary, or tertiary institution in Akure. All schools in the state capital are safe, open, and conducting academic activities without disruption,” the statement said.
The government urged parents and guardians to ignore the rumours and avoid sharing unverified information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety among residents.
Similarly, the Ondo State Police Command dismissed reports alleging that bandits had invaded parts of Akure, stressing that intelligence gathering and security assessments had not revealed any such threat.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement, said the Command had not received any credible intelligence indicating the presence of bandits in the state capital.
He assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and property across the state.
The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, as urging parents and guardians not to be influenced by unverified reports capable of generating fear and confusion.
The police also encouraged students to continue their academic activities without apprehension, noting that security agencies remained vigilant and prepared to respond to any threat.
“The Command wishes to assure residents, particularly parents, students, school authorities and the general public, that there is no credible intelligence or reported incident indicating the presence or invasion of bandits in Akure,” the statement said.
The police warned against the deliberate spread of false information, stressing that individuals found circulating misinformation intended to incite panic could face legal consequences.
Both the government and the police called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through appropriate security channels while relying only on information from verified official sources.
The reassurance comes amid growing concerns in parts of the country over incidents of kidnapping and insecurity, which have made residents more sensitive to security-related reports circulating on social media.
Authorities, however, maintained that Akure remains calm and secure, urging residents to go about their lawful activities without fear.
