Edo State government has closed three public secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area over a reported security threat targeting students.
The decision follows a security alert from the State Security Service which warned of a possible plan to abduct schoolchildren in parts of Edo North. The order affects Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.
The state government says the move is to protect students and school staff while security agencies assess the situation and respond to the threat.
Authorities say the action followed intelligence reports suggesting that armed groups were monitoring school environments and planning attacks after earlier failed attempts to kidnap residents for ransom.
The security report also indicated that a suspect was picked up while allegedly observing activities around one of the affected schools.
The government says students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination will still have access to their exam centres under security protection.
Officials say the schools will remain closed until further notice as security operations continue in the area.
Ademide Adebayo
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