The Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all public primary schools in four local government areas following the abduction of several students and the killing of a teacher in Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected local governments are Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo.

The directive, issued through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), instructed students and teachers in the affected areas to vacate their schools until further notice as security agencies intensify efforts to restore calm and ensure the safety of residents.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday at LEA School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, in Oriire Local Government Area, where an unspecified number of students were kidnapped by armed assailants.

Reports also indicated that the principal of the secondary school was abducted during the attack.

In a statement released on Friday, the Executive Chairman of OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, said the temporary closure of schools was a precautionary measure aimed at allowing security operatives to stabilize the affected communities and prevent further attacks.

Adeniran confirmed that a teacher was killed during the incident, describing the attack as tragic and deeply disturbing.

He noted that the exact number of abducted students had yet to be confirmed as security agencies continued search and rescue operations in the area.

“The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board expresses profound sorrow and deep concern over the unfortunate attackon LEA School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area, which resulted in the killing of a teacher and the kidnapping of some pupils,” the statement read.

“As we speak, the accurate number of pupils kidnapped is yet to be ascertained, as security agencies continue to comb the affected areas and establish full details of the incident.

“In the interest of safety, the Board has directed all primary schools in neighbouring communities, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo, to immediately vacate their schools until further notice. This temporary measure is to prevent any secondary incidents and allow security agencies to thoroughly stabilize the area,” the statement added.

The state government assured residents that it is working closely with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to secure the release of the abducted victims and restore normalcy to the affected communities.