Edo State Closes Schools After Warning of Planned Kidnappings

A leaked report from the State Security Service (SSS) has raised alarms about a planned mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo State. This news has added to the worries about security in a state already facing many kidnappings.

In response to the report, the Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

The order came in a circular dated June 9 and was signed by Enodolomwanyi Otamere, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Education.

The confidential SSS memo, dated June 5 and sent to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo, warned that suspected bandits were planning to target schools, especially in the Edo North Senatorial District.

PREMIUM TIMES got a copy of the memo, which was labeled "secret" and referenced S66/A/3972.

The document revealed that intelligence intercepts showed talks between two suspected bandits named Bawa and Nuhu. They discussed plans to abduct schoolchildren after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy people did not bring in enough money.

The memo explained that the suspects thought that targeting children would get more attention from the government and lead to bigger 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 document 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 also mentioned that Emmanuel Momidu, a 25-year-old man, was arrested on June 4 for allegedly watching Makeke Secondary School in Makeke Community, Akoko Edo Local Government Area.

The SSS urged security agencies to boost safety measures around schools and educational institutions, especially in Edo North.

It suggested deploying personnel to vulnerable schools and communities, teaming up with the Edo State Security Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters, as well as increasing patrols to enhance security and stop attacks.

SSS Confirms the Leak

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, senior DSS officials confirmed that the document was real. They expressed worry about it being shared publicly.

One official said that alerts like this are usually shared among security agencies to prevent attacks and should not be made public.

The official criticized the leak, saying the focus should be on acting on the intelligence instead of exposing confidential security messages.

"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 now, the NSCDC has not released any official statement regarding the leaked memo.

Rising Fears Over Security

This situation comes at a time when there are growing fears about the worsening security in Edo. Kidnappings have become common on highways, in communities, and near schools.