Parents and Guardians of students in Osun State have been forced to withdraw their children over a rumour that some suspected bandits plan to attack schools in the Ofatedo area of the state.

Tribune reported that many private and public schools in the state have also shut down as a result of the rumour while others that remained open deployed guards in the schools’ entrances.

Although there has been no confirmation of the rumour from the state government and the security agencies, reports revealed that the rumour has also spread fears in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, as some schools in the town also directed their students to vacate schools while parents of the younger pupils were communicated to come and pick and their children.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan, urged residents to remain calm, noting that “The Police, Amotekun corps, Department of State Security, Vigilance groups, Nigeria and Hunters Group of Nigeria are on their toes. People should go about their normal activities without fear.”

Also, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode psc, through the command’s spokesperson, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, in Osogbo said the force is “being mindful of his primary constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives & properties and unrelenting efforts to ensure the residents of the state go about their lawful businesses and sleep with their eyes closed, has re-strategize and re-engineered the security architecture of the Police Command.

“This becomes imperative and necessitated by the threatening letter of invasion written to some communities in the state by some unscrupulous elements which the Police Command in collaboration with other security agents and local security outfits are working tooth and nail to arrest the criminals and brought them to book.

“The CP is using the avenue to reassure the good people of the state of the Command readiness to tackle all forms of criminal activities, threat and urged members of the public to comport themselves and jettison fear of insecurity in the state.

“Also, the citizens are advised to be security conscious, vigilant, cooperate and collaborate with the security agents by giving useful and timely information to them and report any suspicious movement or activities of criminals to the police.”