The Kwara State Government has said that the decision to shut schools in some parts of the state prevented major abductions in several boarding schools.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking on the security situation in the state.

Daily Trust reports that Ajakaye’s disclosure comes on the heels of the recent closure of schools in parts of Kwara State following rising security concerns.

The decision followed fresh attacks and attempted incursions in some local government areas.

Officials said the temporary shutdown was necessary to prevent schools from becoming targets amid the evolving security situation.

The closures affected both day and boarding schools, heightening anxiety among parents and community leaders.

The government has since assured that the move was purely preventive and that classes will resume once security assessments are concluded.

But according to Ajakaye, the decision was reached as part of a broader investment in intelligence gathering and inter agency coordination across the security sector.

He said the government has been working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, the NSCDC, and traditional institutions to enhance community safety.

According to him, billions of naira have been invested in both human intelligence and technology driven surveillance to address the security issue in the state.

He said many residents may not be aware of the scale of these investments or the number of attacks quietly prevented through intelligence alerts.

Ajakaye explained that intelligence reports led to proactive deployments that stopped planned mass abductions in boarding schools within the state.

“With the support of God Almighty and our security agencies, the government prevented major abductions in our boarding schools,” he said.

“These steps were taken because of actionable intelligence available to the government.”

He added that despite some recent breaches in parts of the state, the administration has equally recorded significant wins that are not always highlighted in public conversations.

Ajakaye said the government is not complacent and continues to collaborate with security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders.

He described the situation as a “peculiar time” marked by asymmetric threats, noting that attackers blend into communities and strike without warning.

“The next person passing by could be the next attacker. Nobody has the gift of clairvoyance to know who will strike next,” he said.

He assured residents that the government remains committed to improving intelligence, deepening partnerships and reinforcing preventive measures to safeguard lives and property. (Daily Trust)

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