BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
The Oyo State Government has warned parents and guardians to caution their children who are of school age to reject free rides from unknown persons in a bid to avert being kidnapped.
The state government gave the warning in a circular made available on Friday.
The circular read that kidnappers had developed the method of wearing school uniforms in a ploy to abduct school children.
It stressed that the kidnappers wearing school uniforms to abduct school children were within Oyo State, particularly Ibadan.
It quoted the state government as admonishing parents and guardians to sensitize their children and wards against falling victim, saying that they should be security conscious.
The circular with reference number EDU 215 T18/166, from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, dated October 27, read that there was need for all to be security conscious.
The document, which was addressed to the state chairmen of TESCOM, SUBEB, Executive Secretary of BOTAVED, zonal and local inspectors of education, all principals and head teachers of public and private schools, and private school owners, was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. A. B. Atere.
Titled, ‘Need to be security-conscious and reject free rides offered by strangers,’ the circular stated, “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 school children 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 sensitize/warn their wards or children under their care on the need to be security-conscious and reject free rides offered by strangers.”
