Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has urged residents to disregard reports of alleged school kidnappings in parts of the state, assuring that his administration has put in place adequate measures to safeguard schools and other public institutions.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said in a statement on Tuesday that security checks conducted across border communities and other parts of the state confirmed that no school kidnapping incident had occurred, describing the alarm as false and intended to create panic among residents.

Adeleke maintained that his government had adopted proactive security measures to protect schools across the state, stressing that the Ministry of Education and relevant security agencies had already developed and commenced the implementation of a comprehensive security strategy.

He urged parents, guardians and residents not to panic over the reports, insisting that the rumours were being spread by opposition elements seeking to destabilise the state and create unnecessary fear among the populace.

The governor also disclosed that Armoured Personnel Carriers, APCs, abandoned by the immediate past administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, had been fully refurbished and were ready for deployment to strengthen security operations across the state.

According to him, the armoured vehicles, originally inherited from the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, were left in a state of disrepair by the succeeding administration before his government undertook their rehabilitation.

“The Oyetola administration inherited the APCs from the Aregbesola administration. The last administration, however, left them to rot. 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.

The governor further warned individuals and groups against actions capable of inciting criminal activities, noting that local intelligence networks and security agencies were closely monitoring border communities and other identified flashpoints across the state.

He assured residents that his administration would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of schools, pupils, residents and property throughout Osun State.