Parents in a community in Oyo State rushed to a primary school on Tuesday to withdraw their children after rumours spread of a bandit attack in a nearby area.
The incident occurred at Ijeru Baptist Basic School I and III, following unverified reports that armed men had invaded communities around the Ajawa axis. Video and photos from the scene showed parents forcing open the school gates and hurriedly taking children away amid confusion.
A community source said teachers tried to calm the situation and told parents they had contacted police, who reported the violence was linked to a clash between Fulani herders and farmers, not a bandit invasion.
“The information they heard was that bandits were around Ajawa, which is not true,” the source said.
The panic comes after recent attacks and abductions in the Ogbomoso axis. SaharaReporters previously reported that armed men attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils, students, and teachers, including the principal of Community High School, Ahoro‑Esiele. One of the kidnapped teachers was later reported killed.
Residents said fear of further school attacks has spread across several communities, with academic activities at Ijeru Baptist Basic School disrupted as many pupils were withdrawn.
