THE Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected calls for the state government to negotiate with bandits responsible for the abduction of students and teachers during the attack on communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Lawmakers have instead called for intensified security operations to ensure the safe rescue of all victims and prevent further attacks across vulnerable communities.
The resolution was reached yesterday following a motion of urgent public importance presented by the member representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during plenary after the Assembly resumed from its Eid-el-Kabir recess.
Presenting the motion, Ogundele recalled the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo and Yawota communities, where armed bandits reportedly invaded schools during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and a commercial motorcycle rider before abducting dozens of pupils, students and teachers.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the increasing wave of insecurity in Oriire Local Government Area, noting that the area had witnessed repeated attacks since the beginning of the year.
He referenced an earlier attack on the National Park Service office in Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.
Ogundele commended Governor Seyi Makinde for the swift deployment of security personnel, ongoing rescue operations and his visit to the affected communities.
He also urged the state government to provide additional support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base around vulnerable communities and forest corridors within the local government area.
As part of its resolutions, the Assembly directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to conduct comprehensive security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements.
Lawmakers also called for the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and surveillance cameras in vulnerable schools, as well as the development of a statewide Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for both public and private educational institutions.
The Assembly firmly rejected any proposal for negotiations with the kidnappers, maintaining that such a move could encourage further criminal activities and embolden armed groups.
Supporting the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin renewed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that current security challenges have highlighted the need for decentralised policing structures.
He urged the Federal Government to remove obstacles delaying the creation of state police forces.
Adedoyin noted that recent rescue efforts demonstrated the importance of local security outfits such as the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes, who possess greater familiarity with difficult terrains and forest environments.
Other lawmakers echoed calls for stronger security measures, including increased deployment of security personnel, improved management of forest reserves, enhanced intelligence gathering and additional recruitment into the Amotekun Corps.
During deliberations, members also raised concerns about the growing spread of kidnapping activities beyond forest communities into urban and semi-urban areas, warning that the threat now affects a broader segment of society.
The Assembly subsequently urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence and relevant security agencies, to establish a permanent military base in Oriire Local Government Area to strengthen security operations.
Lawmakers further called on the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials to affected families, while encouraging traditional rulers, community leaders and local government authorities to intensify community-based intelligence gathering and security cooperation.
Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, reiterated the Assembly’s opposition to negotiating with kidnappers, insisting that the focus should remain on intelligence-driven security operations and coordinated rescue efforts.
While sympathising with families of those still in captivity, he stressed that yielding to the demands of kidnappers could strengthen criminal networks and create incentives for future abductions.
Ogundoyin reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting all measures aimed at improving security across Oyo State and preventing future attacks on schools and communities.
