The Senate has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler in Oyo State, calling for their immediate rescue and stronger security measures to protect schools and vulnerable communities
Senate Demands Rescue of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers as Lawmakers Condemn Brutal Attack
The Senate on Wednesday delivered a strong condemnation of the mass abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as a horrifying assault on the nation’s conscience and a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s future.
Lawmakers called for the immediate rescue of all victims still being held captive and urged the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance and more robust deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo Central, who raised fresh concerns over the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Presenting the motion before the Senate, Buhari painted a disturbing picture of the attack, revealing that armed assailants stormed the area and abducted 49 people, including pupils, teachers and a toddler. He further disclosed that three people lost their lives during the attack, while one teacher was brutally beheaded.
“The victims were abducted from a learning environment which ought to symbolise safety, hope and the future of our nation,” Buhari said.
The lawmaker expressed deep concern over the abduction of very young children, including a toddler, describing it as a chilling indication of the cruelty of the attackers and the growing vulnerability of rural communities to criminal violence.
Recalling one of the most shocking aspects of the attack, Buhari told lawmakers that a mathematics teacher, identified as Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was murdered in a gruesome manner.
“Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher, was beheaded in a gruesome manner and recorded for public viewing. This barbaric act has struck fear into the people of the state and Nigerians at large,” Buhari said.
According to him, the attack has heightened fear across Oyo State and rekindled national concerns about the safety of schools, particularly those located in remote areas with limited security presence.
The senator also informed the chamber of another kidnapping incident that reportedly occurred in Oyo State on Wednesday morning, involving the abduction of three children and their mother in Ibadan. He warned that the development underscored the worsening security challenges confronting residents of the state.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously condemned the attack, sympathised with the affected families and the Oyo State Government, and called on security agencies to deploy every available resource towards securing the safe return of those still in captivity.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security spending, arguing that the persistence of such attacks despite substantial budgetary allocations raises serious concerns about accountability. He urged the Senate to intensify its oversight responsibilities by inviting service chiefs to provide explanations on how security funds are being utilised.
Senator Sunday Karimi also called for stronger collaboration among federal, state and local governments in tackling insecurity, stressing that many communities remain dangerously exposed due to weak grassroots security structures. According to him, increased financial allocations to states should translate into visible security improvements in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking with journalists after plenary, Senator Buhari offered further insight into the devastating impact of the attack on affected families and communities. He disclosed that 46 children and four teachers were among those abducted and narrated how the violence claimed additional lives.
“Another teacher tried to escape through a window but was shot dead. An Okada rider passing between two communities was also killed after being mistaken for part of the attack,” he said.
Buhari also recounted the emotional trauma suffered by relatives of the victims, revealing that one man whose wife and four children were abducted became overwhelmed by despair.
“The man was so devastated that he contemplated suicide. I had to tell him that if he did, and they eventually returned, there would be no one waiting for them at home,” he said.
According to the senator, fear and uncertainty forced many residents to flee the area in the aftermath of the attack, leaving entire communities largely deserted.
He noted that security agencies are approaching rescue operations with extreme caution due to the presence of very young children among the abductees.
“There are children as young as two, three and four years old involved. Any action must prioritise their safety,” he explained.
Buhari appealed to Nigerians not to politicise the tragedy, urging the public to allow security agencies to conduct rescue operations without undue pressure or interference. He stressed that operational details must remain confidential if the victims are to be safely recovered.
“This is not politics. These are human lives. Their only offence was going to school that morning,” Buhari said.
As concern continues to grow over the fate of the abducted victims, the Senate reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments and supporting all efforts aimed at ensuring their safe return. The lawmakers also renewed calls for stronger protection of schools across the country, warning that attacks on educational institutions strike at the heart of Nigeria’s future and must be confronted with urgency and resolve.
