Osun Exposes Kidnappers' Plot Against Schools, Farm Settlements.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has revealed on Tuesday that his administration has discovered plots by kidnappers to target schools and farm settlements in rural areas of the state.

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The governor, expressing concern through a statement signed by his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that individuals orchestrating the scheme aim to hinder the execution of his administration’s infrastructure plan and instigate fear in the state.

Adeleke, however, said he had convened a meeting of the state security council to prevent security breaches in any part of the state.

The governor referred to intelligence snippets of “deliberate mobilisation of criminal elements to the rural areas of the state”, stressing that such reports were alarming and posed serious concerns to the well-being of the Osun people.

He stressed that his administration was worried about reports that “those behind the plot are targeting disruption of farming activities through kidnappings and attacks on rural farm settlements.

“It was further revealed that schools are being targeted with abductions and attacks as a way of distracting from the implementation of the safe school initiative and the multi-billion naira infrastructure plan,” he said.

A state security council meeting has been convened, and Adeleke has instructed school authorities to implement precautionary measures for the safety of pupils and students.

The statement further read, “The Ministry of Education and all education agencies have been ordered to review safety measures in Osun schools in line with the Safe School Initiative.

“In specific terms, school principals and heads are expected to clear overgrown school environments and ensure close liaison with the Parents and Teachers Association to secure their school environments.

“The governor further directs the Food Security Committee to submit an interim report to allow for immediate actions to safeguard farm security and secure farmers as the rainy season knocks on the door.

“We expect the initial report to contain practical and implementable measures to safeguard our farming communities through closer integration and mobilisation of the local hunters and forest rangers.”

The governor expressed dissatisfaction with internal rivalry, opposition penetration, and external intervention adversely impacting the Amotekun Corps’ operations in the state. Additionally, he disclosed plans for significant reforms within the security force.

He stated that Amotekun would undergo restructuring to enhance its effectiveness as a supplementary force alongside the police and other security agencies.

He reassured the public of his administration’s proactive measures to safeguard schools and farming communities, emphasizing Osun’s commitment to maintaining peace and harmony among its residents.