The abduction of a 12-year-old schoolgirl in Ibadan has reignited concerns about public safety around school routes, with the Oyo State Police Command warning parents and residents to remain vigilant as investigations continue.

Police say the incident occurred early Thursday morning in the Challenge area of Ibadan, where the Junior Secondary School 2 student of Monarch Model College was taken while being dropped off for classes, highlighting vulnerabilities during routine school-hour movements.

According to eyewitness accounts cited by authorities, the attackers arrived in a vehicle without number plates, fired shots into the air to scare residents, and punctured the tyre of the child’s mother’s vehicle before forcefully taking the girl at a junction leading to the school premises.

The brazen nature of the attack, carried out in a busy neighbourhood during morning hours, has raised alarms about armed criminal activity in civilian spaces, particularly areas frequented by children, commuters and traders.

Confirming the incident, the police spokesperson, Olusola Olayinka Ayanlade, said detectives were immediately deployed to the scene around 7:20 a.m., adding that eyewitnesses have been identified and questioned to provide leads for rescuing the victim.

The police say the victim’s parents are in close communication with investigators, as security teams intensify efforts to track the abductors and secure the child’s safe return, while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could hinder operations.

In response to public concern, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, has ordered a comprehensive, intelligence-driven investigation, directing officers to explore all possible angles and strengthen patrols around schools and known flashpoints.

As the city of Ibadan grapples with the shock of the incident, residents are being encouraged to share credible information with authorities, as the police stress that community cooperation remains critical to preventing further attacks and restoring confidence in everyday public safety.