The Oyo State Government has announced a move to ban school excursions, field trips, sports activities among others.
This policy puts an immediate halt to all off-campus educational trips and out-of-town travels.
The directive follows a harrowing security breach on Friday, May 15, 2026, where heavily gunmen stormed local academic institutions in the Oriire Local Government Area, killing a teacher and abducting a school principal alongside dozens of students.
The tragic incidents, which occurred during the morning hours at LA School and Community Grammar School in the Ahoro-Esinle community, have thrown the state’s education sector into deep anxiety.
In immediate response, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) ordered the total closure of primary and secondary schools across four highly exposed local government areas: Oriire, Surulere, Oyo East, and Olorunsogo. State officials confirmed that these localized shutdowns are intended to stabilize the border axes and give tactical security teams a clear path to track the assailants, who are believed to have retreated toward the vast terrain of the Old Oyo National Park.
This also comes as family members, colleagues, and sympathisers gathered on Friday in Ogbomoso for the burial of Joel Adesiyan, one of the teachers killed during last week’s attack on schools in Oyo state.
The burial ceremony was held at Ayegun Baptist Church in Ogbomoso, where mourners paid their last respects to the deceased teacher amid grief and tears.
Meanwhile, in a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs B.T. Oyinloye, the Oyo State government explained that the move to ban school excursions and other outdoor activities is to ensure the safety of students.
According to the circular, the directive became necessary “in view of the recent security concerns”.
The circular stated: “In view of the recent security concerns, the Ministry is taking steps to safeguard the lives of students and members of staff in all schools in Oyo State.
“All School Administrators are hereby directed to suspend all excursions, field trips, sports competitions, and any other activities that require moving students outside school premises until further notice.
“Kindly note further that prior approvals granted by the Ministry are hereby overridden by this directive.
“Meanwhile, the safety of our children is non-negotiable and takes precedence over all academic and extracurricular activities.
“School Administrators are equally enjoined to keep students within school premises during school hours and should report any suspicious activity around school premises to Law Enforcement Agencies within their jurisdiction.
“This directive takes immediate effect and will be reviewed as soon as the security situation improves. Kindly ensure strict and necessary compliance with the content of this circular.”
