The Oyo State Government has announced the suspension of all school excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and other activities outside school premises following last week’s deadly coordinated abduction attack on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, as burial rites commenced for slain teacher, Adesiyan Adegboye.
Adegboye, 49, one of the teachers killed during the attack, was laid in state on Friday at Ayegun Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, ahead of his burial later the same day at his residence in the Owolake area of the town.
The deceased, who was born on December 11, 1976, was murdered by armed bandits who invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele last Friday.
During the coordinated attacks, several teachers and students were abducted, throwing Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities into panic.
The directive was issued through a circular from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. B.T. Oyinloye, and addressed to TESCOM, SUBEB, Tutor-Generals, Zonal Directors, Inspectors of Education, and heads of public and private schools across the state.
According to the ministry, the decision follows recent security concerns and is aimed at safeguarding the lives of students and staff members in all schools.
“All school administrators are hereby directed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice,” the circular stated.
The ministry also clarified that all previous approvals granted for such activities have been withdrawn with immediate effect, stressing that the safety of schoolchildren is non-negotiable and remains a priority over extracurricular engagements.
School heads were further instructed to keep students within school premises during school hours and to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies within their jurisdictions.
The directive takes immediate effect and will be reviewed once the security situation improves.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
