The Oyo State House of Assembly has firmly rejected calls for negotiations with the abductors of teachers and students kidnapped during the attack on Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that security agencies should intensify rescue efforts instead.
The resolution was reached during plenary on Wednesday following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, 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 assailants reportedly stormed the areas during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and a motorcyclist before abducting several pupils, students and teachers.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating security situation in the area, Ogundele noted that Oriire Local Government had experienced a series of violent attacks since the beginning of the year.
“Since January, our communities have witnessed increasing incidents of banditry and insecurity. The attack on Ahoro-Esiele is only one of several disturbing cases that require urgent intervention,” he said.
The lawmaker urged Governor Seyi Makinde to strengthen ongoing rescue operations, deploy additional security personnel to vulnerable communities and personally visit the affected areas to reassure residents.
He also called for greater support for security agencies and the establishment of a permanent military base in strategic communities and forest corridors prone to attacks.
As part of efforts to prevent future incidents, the Assembly urged the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to conduct comprehensive security audits of schools located near forests and border communities.
Lawmakers further recommended the installation of solar-powered streetlights, perimeter fencing and CCTV surveillance systems in vulnerable schools, alongside the development of a statewide Safe School Emergency Response Protocol covering both public and private institutions.
During the debate, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin renewed calls for the creation of state police, arguing that local security structures were better positioned to tackle emerging security threats.
“Recent rescue operations have highlighted the challenges conventional security agencies face in difficult terrains. This is why local security outfits such as Amotekun must be further empowered and supported,” Adedoyin stated.
Members of the Assembly also raised concerns about inadequate monitoring of forest reserves, warning that criminal groups were exploiting such areas as operational bases. They called for stronger surveillance and enforcement measures to curb illegal activities within the forests.
Following deliberations, the House unanimously rejected any proposal to negotiate with the kidnappers, warning that doing so could encourage further criminal activities and worsen insecurity across the state.
Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, stressed that yielding to the demands of abductors would only strengthen criminal networks.
“While we sympathise with the families affected by this tragic incident, negotiating with kidnappers is not the solution. Such actions could embolden criminal elements and create a dangerous precedent,” Ogundoyin said.
He added, “Security agencies should be allowed to continue their ongoing operations aimed at securing the safe release of the victims. The Assembly remains committed to supporting all measures that will improve security and protect our schools and communities.”
The House subsequently adopted several resolutions, including a call for the establishment of a permanent military base in Oriire Local Government Area, improved welfare support for affected families and the strengthening of community-based intelligence gathering.
Lawmakers also directed the House Committee on Security and Strategy to visit the affected communities, assess the security situation and recommend additional legislative actions to address the growing threat of banditry and kidnapping in the state.
