Oyo Government Suspends Excursions, Sports Competitions Over Security Concerns

The Oyo State Government has suspended all school excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice.

The directive, issued by the state Ministry of Education, takes immediate effect and overrides all previously approved external school activities. The decision follows last week’s deadly coordinated abduction attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area, where several students and teachers were taken captive and remain in custody.

In a circular addressed to education authorities across the state, the government stated that the move was prompted by rising security fears following the Ogbomoso kidnapping incident. The directive was signed by the ministry’s permanent secretary.

According to the circular, the government is taking steps to safeguard the lives of students and staff in all schools across the state. All school administrators have been directed to suspend excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises.

The circular further noted that all prior approvals granted by the ministry are overridden by this directive. The government emphasised that the safety of children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities.

School administrators are also required to keep students within school premises during school hours and to report any suspicious activity around schools to law enforcement agencies within their jurisdiction.

The order will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves. The directive has been circulated to the executive chairmen of TESCOM and SUBEB, permanent secretaries, tutor-generals, zonal directors, local inspectors of education, principals, and head teachers across the state.

The government’s action comes amid growing anxiety among parents and residents over the safety of students and teachers in Oyo State following the deadly abduction attack in Ogbomoso.