• The Oyo State Government has suspended school excursions and external activities over insecurity concerns
• The directive followed a coordinated school abduction attack in Oriire LGA as several kidnapped students and teachers are reportedly still in captivity
• School authorities are ordered to report suspicious activities to security agencies immediately

The Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all school excursions, field trips, inter-school sports competitions and other activities that involve moving students outside school premises due to growing insecurity in the state.

The directive follows last week’s coordinated abduction attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where several students and teachers were kidnapped and are reportedly still in captivity.

In a circular dated Friday, May 22, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs B.T. Oyinloye, the government announced that all previously approved external school activities had been cancelled until further notice.

The circular, addressed to education authorities across the state, explained that the decision was taken because of mounting security concerns after the Ogbomoso kidnapping incident.

According to the ministry, “the safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities.”

School administrators were directed to ensure that students remain within school premises during school hours while security agencies are immediately alerted to any suspicious movements or activities around schools.

The government stated, “All School Administrators are hereby directed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice.”

It further noted that “prior approvals granted by the Ministry are hereby overridden by this directive.”

The order has been circulated to key education stakeholders, including the Executive Chairmen of TESCOM and SUBEB, Tutor-Generals, Zonal Directors, principals, head teachers and Local Inspectors of Education across Oyo State.

Authorities added that the directive takes immediate effect and will remain in place pending improvements in the security situation.

The decision comes amid heightened fear among parents and residents over the safety of students and teachers following the deadly school abduction attack in Ogbomoso.

“Enough of empty threats” — Atiku knocks Tinubu over rising killings, kidnappings

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the worsening security situation in the country, describing recent attacks in Oyo and Katsina states as proof of a “collapse of leadership.”

Atiku condemned the abduction of school children and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as well as the killings reported in Katsina State.

The former vice president expressed sadness over reports that one of the abducted teachers was killed, warning that insecurity across Nigeria was exposing serious weaknesses in the country’s security structure.