Oyo state government has warned residents to be cautious as kidnappers in the state are now wearing school uniforms to abduct school pupils in Ibadan.
This was made known by the state government through a circular with reference number: EDU 215 T18/166, from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, dated 27 October, 2021 and obtained by newsmen.
The circular was addressed to the state chairmen of TESCOM (Teaching Service Commission), SUBEB (State Universal Basic Education Board), Executive Secretary, BOTAVED (Board for Technical and Vocational Education), zonal and local inspectors of education, all principals and headteachers of public and private schools, all private school owners and parents in the state.
According to the circular, it is a new method adopted by kidnappers to abduct children.
He, therefore, urged parents to sensitise and warn their children and wards to be security conscious by rejecting free rides from strangers.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. A. B. Atere, was titled “Need To Be Security Conscious And Reject Free Rides Offered By Strangers”.
The state government said the warning became necessary following a security report on the new method adopted by kidnappers, wearing school uniforms similar to that of the schoolchildren in their vehicle(s) and they would offer to help unsuspecting schoolchildren to their school(s).
It further stated that, once the innocent pupils enter the vehicle(s) of the kidnappers, they zoom off to unknown destination(s).
The circular reads: “I am to inform you that the Special Services Department (Office of the Executive Governor) has reliably informed the ministry of the new strategy of kidnappers in Ibadan Metropolis.
“According to the information, the kidnappers wear a similar uniform as the child(ren) in their car and offer to help unsuspecting schoolchildren to their school. Once the innocent children enter the vehicle, they zoom off to an unknown destination.
“Consequent upon the above, all stakeholders are enjoined to sensitise/warn their wards or children under their care on the need to be security-conscious and reject free rides offered by strangers.”