The Edo state government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a kidnap threat against students.

The directive, contained in a circular issued by the State Ministry of Education and signed by its Permanent Secretary, Mr Enodolomwanyi Otamere, said the affected schools were Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School.

The circular dated June 9 was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Benin.

NAN reports that the closure came against the backdrop of a security intelligence report by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The reports in a memo dated June 5, and sighted by NAN, warned of an alleged plan by suspected bandits to carry out a mass abduction of school children in Edo North Senatorial District.

According to the intelligence memo addressed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the DSS intercepted communications between two suspected bandits.

The two suspects allegedly discussed targeting school children after earlier attempts to kidnap wealthy individuals failed to yield expected financial gains.

The report indicates that the suspects believed abducting students will attract greater government attention and increase their chances of securing substantial ransom payments and other concessions.

The memo further revealed that a 25-year-old suspect was arrested on June 4 while allegedly conducting surveillance around Makeke Secondary School in the Makeke community, one of the schools subsequently shut by the government.

According to the document, the suspect’s activities heightened fears that preparations for the planned operation may already have been underway.

In response to the threat, the security agency advised authorities to strengthen protection around schools and educational institutions across the state, particularly in Edo North.

Meanwhile in the memo directing the closure of the schools, the permanent secretary said that the decision followed security advisories from relevant agencies warning of threats to the safety of students, teachers and surrounding communities.

“The Ministry of Education has received intelligence reports and advisories from relevant security agencies regarding credible threats to the safety of students, staff, and school communities in some parts of the Akoko Edo Local Government Area,” he said.

He added that all academic and non-academic activities in the affected schools had been suspended until further notice as part of efforts to safeguard lives and property.

Otamare said that in spite of the closure, candidates currently sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) would continue to have access to examination centres under strict security arrangements.

“Candidates currently participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) shall be allowed access to sit for their examinations under strict security arrangements and supervision as may be provided by the relevant security agencies and community stakeholders,” he said.

He directed school principals to ensure the orderly release of students to their parents and guardians, secure school facilities and maintain close communication with government authorities and security agencies.

He also urged parents and residents of the affected communities to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to neutralise the threat and restore normal academic activities. (NAN)

Ogun state Commissioner for the environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya has attributed the poor service being experienced by the people of Alagbole and Akute areas of the state regarding the collection of their refuse, is as a result of the bad condition of the roads in the area inherited by the Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

He declared however , that plans have been concluded for a better refuse collection service in the area since the roads have been fixed.

Oresanya who made the explanation on an Environmental program on Miliki FM,( name of the program ) apologised to the people for the pains in handling their refuse overtime, stating that the hitherto bad roads in the area discouraged the private outfits contracted to evacuate refuse along the corridor from penetrating the areas fully because of the frequent damages to thier vehicles

The Commissioner thanked the state Governor for fixing the roads in Alagbole Akute area, even as he promised that the refuse collection service in the area will begin as soon as possible, since the ministry has no other excuses to prevent it from doing the needful.

Aside Alagbole Akute, the Commissioner also promised that the cases of other places within the state, where complaints have been registered with refuse collection ,will also be addressed immediately.

THE Senate has asked the Federal government to as a matter of urgency, ban all foreign textile materials into the country as part of moves to encourage local production of cotton and the revival of dead textile industries across the country.

The Senate has called on the Federal Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade and Investment as a matter of urgency to ensure the revival of the Textile Industries in Nigeria as this will further create job opportunities for the unemployed population of our Country thereby addressing youth restiveness and attendant insecurity.

The Upper chamber has urged the Federal Government to provide additional funds to the Bank of Industry, BOI to be dedicated to textile industries in order to revive the textile sector.

The Upper Chamber has also asked the Federal government to through the Ministry of Agriculture encourage the farming of cotton since no cotton, no textile industries.

Resolutions of the Senate on Tuesday were sequel to a motion titled, “Urgent Need to revive the Textile Industries in Nigeria with particular reference to the Kaduna-Kano axis.”

It was sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall, Katung, APC, Kaduna South and Co- sponsored by Senators Adams Oshiomole, APC, Edo North; Senator Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North; SenatorMustapha Khalid, Kaduna North; Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, APC, Jigawa South West and Senator Natasha Akpoti- Udughan.

Others are Senator Kawu Abdurrahman Suleiman, APC, Kano South; Senator Simon Lalong Simon, Bako, Plateau South; Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto South; Senator Babangida Hussaini, APC, Jigawa North-West and Senator Dandutse Mohammed, APC, Katsina South.

Details later…