Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has dismissed as false reports circulating on social media alleging that bandits were abducting schoolchildren in Owan West Local Government Area of the state, describing the claims as a deliberate act of sabotage aimed at causing panic.
Speaking during a press briefing in his office, Agbebaku said investigations and consultations with security agencies had confirmed that no such incident occurred in the locality.
The Speaker explained that he had recently visited Owan West and held meetings with members of the local security network to reinforce the need for vigilance, especially around schools located in remote and less developed communities.
“I returned from my local government yesterday and met with members of the security network. I reminded them of their responsibility to protect lives and property and advised that schools in remote areas should have adequate security presence,” he said.
According to him, Owan West currently has over 300 security personnel who can be strategically deployed to schools and vulnerable locations to ensure adequate protection.
