Edo govt suspends school resumption in Edo Central Over rising kidnapping, Ekpoma protests

The Edo State Government has suspended the resumption of second-term academic activities in Edo Central Senatorial District following persistent cases of kidnapping and the ensuing protests by residents of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, announced the decision in a statement issued on Sunday, January 12, 2026, in Benin City.

According to him, the suspension affects all public and private primary and secondary schools in the senatorial district.

In the three-paragraph statement, Iyamu explained that the postponement was necessary to enable the state government address pressing exigencies aimed at improving the safety and overall welfare of children within the affected areas.

“This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, school heads, and proprietors, that the resumption of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session has been postponed until further notice,” the statement read.

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He added that a new resumption date would be communicated to the public in due course, urging parents, guardians and other education stakeholders in the district to take note of the development and comply accordingly.

The suspension comes barely hours after the Edo State Ministry of Education had earlier announced Monday, January 12, 2026, as the official resumption date for all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Meanwhile, the crisis has also disrupted academic activities at the tertiary level in the area.

The management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, had on January 10, 2026, announced the suspension of resumption and commencement of academic activities for the 2026 academic year.

The university also suspended ongoing examinations and postponed its 140th inaugural lecture earlier scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, citing the ongoing anti-kidnapping protests in the host community.

Confirming the development, Otunba Mike Ade Aladenika, Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information, Protocol and Public Relations at AAU, said the decisions were taken to allow the institution complete ongoing renovation works on student structures and facilities, while ensuring the safety of students and staff amid the prevailing security concerns.