Panic in Osun Towns as Schools Shut Over Alleged Bandit Threat Letter; Adeleke, Police React

 Panic spread across several towns in Osun State on Tuesday after suspected bandits allegedly dropped a threatening letter at a public school, prompting mass school closures and heightened anxiety.

The tension reportedly began in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area, before spreading to Obaagun, Iree, Eripa, Otan-Ayegbaju, and Ila-Orangun. Reports later reached Osogbo, the state capital.

In Ikirun, schools shut down immediately. Parents rushed to pick up their children, and students were seen running home in fear as the situation escalated.

Affected schools included Community Secondary Grammar School, Obaagun; NUD and Baptist High School in Iree; Kidvarc, Iree; Eripa Grammar School; and several schools in Otan-Ayegbaju and Ila-Orangun. Some private schools in Osogbo also dismissed students early and asked parents to pick them up.

Amid the tension, Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority, accused the Ademola Adeleke administration of withdrawing armoured vehicles from strategic locations in the state for over a year. 

Badmus claimed the vehicles were removed for “refurbishment” without explanation and warned that the move could weaken security responses to bandits, kidnappers, and other armed criminals. He described the situation as “hoarding” of armoured vehicle services at a time when security threats are rising.

Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, denied abandoning the vehicles. He said the previous administration under Gboyega Oyetola “left them to rot” after inheriting them from the Aregbesola government. 

“My government has rehabilitated them and the public will soon witness a new security plan to strengthen the security of lives and properties in Osun State,” Adeleke said.

He reassured residents that schools remain secure and urged the public to disregard false alarms about school kidnappings, adding that fact-checks showed no such incidents had occurred.

The Osun State Police Command also dismissed the circulating reports as “false and misleading.” It warned against creating or spreading fake security alerts, saying such acts cause unnecessary panic and threaten public peace.

According to the police, security assessments and intelligence gathering have not substantiated the claims. The command urged citizens to verify information through official channels and warned that anyone spreading unverified information could be investigated and prosecuted. 

Residents were advised to remain calm and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or security agency.