Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has issued a stark warning about an imminent threat to schools and farm settlements in rural areas of the state. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke revealed plans by criminal elements to disrupt his administration’s infrastructure initiatives and instigate fear among residents.
Citing intelligence reports of organized efforts to mobilize criminals to rural areas, Governor Adeleke expressed grave concerns over the safety of the populace. He disclosed that the perpetrators aim to disrupt farming activities through kidnappings and attacks on rural farm settlements, while also targeting schools with abductions to derail the implementation of the safe school initiative.
In response to the threat, Governor Adeleke convened a meeting of the state security council to devise strategies to avert security breaches. Preliminary directives have been issued to school authorities to enhance safety measures for pupils and students, including clearing overgrown school environments and collaborating closely with Parents and Teachers Associations.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education and relevant agencies have been instructed to review safety measures in Osun schools, aligning them with the Safe School Initiative. The governor emphasized the importance of securing farming communities, especially with the onset of the rainy season, and called for practical measures to be implemented promptly.
Governor Adeleke also announced plans to overhaul the Amotekun security force to enhance its efficiency in complementing the efforts of the police and other security agencies. He reassured the public of his administration’s commitment to preemptive action in safeguarding schools and farming communities, reaffirming Osun’s reputation as a peaceful state.