The Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Taiwo Adegoroye, has ordered the immediate closure of all public and private schools across the council area over security concerns.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the chairman’s Special Assistant on New Media, Comrade Olatunji Babatunde.
According to the statement, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure in response to the prevailing security situation in parts of the country and to ensure the safety of residents, particularly pupils, students, teachers and other school workers.
Adegoroye, however, clarified that candidates currently participating in national examinations would be allowed access to their schools strictly for the conduct of their examinations.
The council chairman warned that any school authority that disregards the directive would be sanctioned in line with existing laws and regulations.
He also urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and discourage unnecessary movements while the closure remains in force.
The chairman assured residents that the local government was working with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen security measures and maintain peace across the area.
Adegoroye reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.