Tension gripped a community in on Tuesday as frightened parents reportedly stormed a primary school to withdraw their children following rumours of a bandit attack in nearby areas.
The incident occurred at after reports circulated that suspected bandits had allegedly invaded communities around the Ajawa axis.
Videos and photographs from the scene showed anxious parents forcing open the school gate and hurriedly taking their children home amid widespread fear and confusion.
A community source said the panic was triggered by unverified reports suggesting that armed bandits were operating near the area.
According to the source, many parents ignored repeated assurances from school authorities that there was no bandit invasion.
“The parents stormed the school, forced the gate open, and began taking their children away,” the source said.
The source added that teachers attempted to calm the situation after contacting security operatives in the district.
“The teachers informed parents that they had spoken with the police command and were told the violence was linked to a clash between Fulani herders and farmers, not a bandit attack,” the source explained.
The latest incident comes amid growing fear across parts of following recent attacks on schools in the Ogbomoso area.
Gunmen had earlier attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils, students, and teachers, including the principal of , Mrs. Rachael Alamu.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later reported killed after a disturbing video allegedly released by the attackers surfaced online.
Tuesday’s panic at Ijeru Baptist Basic School disrupted academic activities, as many pupils were withdrawn from classes by worried parents and guardians.
Residents said fear of further attacks on schools continues to spread across several communities, especially after videos of abducted teachers pleading for government intervention emerged online.
