Ekiti assures residents of school, community safety

Ekiti State Government and security agencies have reassured residents, particularly parents, guardians, teachers and students, that schools and communities across the state are safe despite growing security concerns in some parts of the country.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), said the government remained committed to sustaining peace and strengthening security measures across the state.

This was as the state Commissioner for Police, Michael Falade and the Director of the Department of State Services, Ekiti State Command, Mrs Nka Obi-Bisong, said the state government and security agencies have always taken proactive measures to ensure security of lives and property.

Ogundana and the security chiefs spoke at a strategic meeting with school administrators in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

The security adviser described Ekiti as one of the safest states in Nigeria and urged residents to support ongoing efforts aimed at preserving the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.

He said, “The government and citizens must continue to work together to preserve the peace we currently enjoy in the State.”

Ogundana also cautioned against the spread of unverified information and the raising of false alarms, warning that rumours could create unnecessary panic and disrupt public order.

Falade called for stronger collaboration among school administrators, community leaders and residents, as he described security as a collective responsibility.

The police boss assured stakeholders that security agencies were implementing strategies to further enhance safety and protect lives and property across the state, urging school administrators to maintain a close relationship with community leaders and security personnel within their localities.

The DSS Director, Obi-Bisong, urged schools and communities to strengthen physical security measures by fencing school premises, installing lighting systems, regularly clearing surrounding bushes, and deploying surveillance cameras where possible.

The DSS boss, who hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his proactive and empathetic approach to security management, said the present administration had demonstrated concern for the welfare and safety of residents through prompt responses to security challenges.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof Femi Akinwumi, and the Chairman of Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Rhoda Ojo, urged school administrators to strictly comply with security guidelines already issued by the government.

They urged school administrators to remain vigilant and identify vulnerable areas within their schools and communities.

Meanwhile, the state police command has frowned on false alarms being raised by yet-to-be identified persons that bandits were attacking or coming to attack some schools in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, in a statement on Monday, condemned the false alarms recently raised in some schools at Ilawe Ekiti, Ifaki Ekiti, Oye Ekiti, Omuo Ekiti, Odo-Ado Area of Ado Ekiti, Otun Ekiti, Efon, Igbemo Ekiti, Ayetoro/Iloro High School, among others, which caused unnecessary apprehensions in those areas.

Abutu stated, “While urging everyone to be vigilant, security conscious and promptly report suspicious persons found in their environments to the police, the police command states clearly that fake news and false alarms are criminal offences as stipulated in Sections 24 and 59 of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 as amended and the Criminal Code respectively, as those found wanting will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“The command, therefore, implores everyone to disregard all the trending false alarms of attack on schools, verify information before sharing, go about their lawful activities, but be security conscious, while prioritising the security of lives and property of all citizens.”