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)

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured travellers and stakeholders that heightened preventive measures have been activated across the country’s international airports following renewed Ebola concerns in parts of Central Africa.

FAAN through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said it is working closely with Port Health Services, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and other relevant agencies to strengthen surveillance and monitoring of passengers, especially those arriving from high-risk regions.

According to the authority passengers are currently being screened for symptoms linked to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), while any suspected case will be immediately isolated and subjected to further medical evaluation in line with national and international health protocols.

The agency also disclosed that staff sensitisation has been intensified and emergency response procedures reinforced to ensure swift intervention where necessary.

FAAN stressed that there is no confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria at the moment, but maintained that authorities remain vigilant in safeguarding public health and ensuring safe airport operations nationwide.

Passengers were advised to remain calm, cooperate with health screening procedures, and promptly report any symptoms to health officials.

Meanwhile, following the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with fresh reports indicating that the disease has spread into neighbouring Uganda, there have been renewed calls for Nigeria to strengthen border surveillance and public health preparedness.

Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine, in a statement warned that any lapse in vigilance by Nigerian authorities could expose the country to serious health risks if the virus is imported through air or land travel.
According to him, more than 131 deaths have already been recorded in the affected areas, while the latest strain of the virus is said to have no specific vaccine coverage, raising fears among health experts and observers.

Akhaine expressed concern that while several East African countries have intensified monitoring and control measures at their borders, Nigeria appears insufficiently alarmed by the growing threat.

He recalled Nigeria’s experience during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh successfully prevented a wider spread of the disease after restraining Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer, who brought the virus into the country.

The university Don noted that Adadevoh’s actions, despite pressures to release the infected traveller, saved countless Nigerian lives and demonstrated the importance of swift institutional response during public health emergencies.

He urged government officials and public health authorities to set aside political distractions and focus attention on what he described as an emerging global health emergency.

“Politics is about the welfare of the people,” he said, stressing that this is the time for proactive measures rather than reactive responses.

Akhaine called for heightened surveillance at Nigeria’s borders, increased public awareness, and stronger emergency preparedness to prevent any possible outbreak in the country.

The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 33 children following an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, spoke on Wednesday during an advocacy meeting with district heads on Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance of Mass Administration of Azithromycin in Children (SARMAAN) and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE).

The meeting was organised by the state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with Sightsavers and the Chigari Foundation.

According to the commissioner, 256 suspected cases have been recorded across eight local government areas of the state since the disease resurfaced about a month ago.

Residents of Kurawa village in Sabon Birni LGA had raised the alarm over a suspected outbreak of meningitis, which they said mostly affected children and teenagers.

Report also claimed the situation had worsened, with about two to three deaths recorded daily, mostly among people aged between two and 20 years.

They noted that many of the victims died before the illness was properly diagnosed, adding that residents were later advised to avoid sleeping in enclosed rooms due to the prevailing heat conditions.

Residents described symptoms including unconsciousness, severe neck pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, high fever and, in some cases, foaming from the mouth, all consistent with meningitis.

During the Wednesday meeting, Dr Abubakar confirmed the outbreak, saying Sabon Birni tops the list with 63 cases, followed by Wamakko (60), Shagari (51), Tambuwal (33), and Dange Shuni (26). Kebbe recorded 16 cases, while Bodinga, Gada, and Kware reported two, one, and two cases, respectively.

The health commissioner noted that most fatalities occurred within communities before patients were taken to health facilities.

He attributed this to delayed health-seeking behaviour, often driven by misconceptions that the illness has spiritual causes rather than being a medical emergency.

To contain the outbreak, the state government, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), established isolation centres at general hospitals in Dogo Daji and Tambuwal, with separate wards for male and female patients.

He added that while only about 20 samples have tested positive for meningitis so far, patients admitted early have responded well to treatment, with no recent deaths recorded since intensified interventions began.

Report also mentioned that firsthand accounts from the Dogo Daji isolation centre suggest that the situation remains critical. A nursing staff member at the facility, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, was quoted as saying that the centre currently has 22 patients on admission.

“We are discharging those who have fully recovered. Even today, we discharged two patients, but they were immediately replaced as we received two new cases,” the staff member said.

He explained that the centre operates two wards—one for male patients and another for females and paediatric cases—but noted that increasing admissions may soon necessitate expansion.

“The cases are increasing. In fact, we are considering opening an additional ward to separate female and paediatric patients,” he added.

The nurse also highlighted the level of support available at the facility, stating that adequate medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, health promoters, and hygiene experts, are on the ground.

He emphasised that free treatment is provided, with patients receiving medications, feeding, and even transportation support once their cases are confirmed.

“Patients do not pay for anything. Everything is provided free, including sanitary pads,” he said.