Kwara reopens schools as security forces haunt bandits

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The kwara state government has directed that all schools across the State including the formerly besieged region to reopen from Monday February 2, 2026.

With the statement by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, all schools formerly silenced due to the threat of banditry have since bounced back with activities since Monday this week.

The Commissioner in a statement made available to newsmen went on to state that “school authorities have been notified of the decision which came amid continuous security operations to neutralise all threats to the public institutions, including schools in the affected areas.

“The government deems the situation now to be a lot better than it was before. Even so, we continue to maintain vigilance,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, security operations continue steadily to sustain the gains of the past weeks while the government builds community resilience along with the kinetic efforts.

This reporter recalls that schools were temporary closed down in kwara due to the daring rampage of terrorists which made the government to direct the closure of schools from primary to.the tertiary level.

Following the temporary shutdown of the College of Education Oro and the concerns people expressed over the issue of insecurity, the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo had summoned an emergency meeting involving the Oloro of Oro, Omo Ibile Igbomina, the management of the College, and representatives of the Kwara State Government.

The meeting, which was held at the Headquarters of the Omo Ibile Igbomina and chaired by the Olupo Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu, took briefings from stakeholders and the Oloro of Oro on the subject matter.

A statement signed by Bisi Fakayode who is the National President Omo Ibile Igbomina noted that the meeting had therefore observed and resolved as follows: That they commend the proactive efforts and approach of the government on the matter.

⁠That the government, in truth, acted in the best interest of the public and the decision, while painful, is proactive and inevitable in the face of the available intelligence that was communicated to the meeting.

That the school management was equally right in its assessment of the threat and its communication of same to relevant authorities.

That the current situation calls for calm and balanced assessment for residents to appreciate the weight of the situation and government’s decisions on issues of public importance.

That while they acknowledge the apprehension of members of the public on the issue, they urge them to remain calm and supportive of the government’s decision, which is the best in the circumstance.

That the closure was a temporary setback, which is a safer option than risking the lives of students, teachers, and other citizens to being cheap prey to bandits.

⁠That they sincerely express their profound appreciation to the Olupo and the Oloro for their fatherly roles in convening the emergency meeting in collaboration with the Omo Ibile Igbomina.

That they sincerely thank the management of the College of Education Oro for the mature handling of the situation, especially the proactive communication to the students and other stakeholders on the issue.

Kwara reopens schools as security forces haunt bandits