Reps Demand Urgent Rescue Of Abducted Teachers, Pupils In Oyo, Borno

The House of Representatives on Tuesday called for the immediate rescue of at least 72 schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno states.

The House also urged the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools and implement broad reforms to address worsening insecurity across the country.

Naija News understands that the resolutions followed the adoption of two motions of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala and Hon. Midala Usman Balami during plenary.

The lawmakers expressed concern over the recurring attacks on schools, warning that the trend was threatening education, endangering lives and deepening fear among parents, teachers and students.

Moving his motion, Alao-Akala raised the alarm over the security situation in Ogbomoso and Orire local government areas of Oyo State.

He cited the abduction of more than 30 pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School on May 16, 2025.

The lawmaker also lamented the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher who was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.

He said the incident showed the growing danger posed by criminal groups operating within and around the Old Oyo National Park and adjoining forests.

According to him, the forest corridor, which stretches towards Kwara State and connects wider transit routes, has become a hideout for kidnappers and bandits.

Alao-Akala warned that the development posed a serious threat not only to communities in Oyo State but also to the wider South-West region.

Lawmaker Seeks Military Base In Oriire

The lawmaker acknowledged ongoing rescue operations by security agencies and the Federal Government’s approval of 1,000 forest guards for the area.

He, however, said more urgent and sustained measures were needed to rescue those still in captivity and prevent future attacks.

Alao-Akala urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military forward operating base in Oriire Local Government Area.

He said the base would help sustain security operations around the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding communities.

The lawmaker also renewed calls for the implementation of earlier recommendations on the decentralisation of Nigeria’s security structure.

He said such reforms should include the establishment of state police, local government policing units, decentralised courts and an integrated intelligence and surveillance network.

Borno Abduction

In a separate motion, Balami raised concern over the reported abduction of 42 schoolchildren from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

He recalled previous mass abductions and attacks in the state, including the 2014 abduction of Chibok schoolgirls and attacks on communities such as Ngoshe.

Balami noted that many victims of past attacks remained unaccounted for years after their abduction.

He said repeated attacks on schools and communities had continued to traumatise families and undermine public confidence in the government’s capacity to protect citizens.

The lawmaker added that insecurity had contributed to declining school enrolment and attendance in vulnerable communities, as parents increasingly feared for the safety of their children.

Adopting the motions, the House urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take immediate and decisive steps to rescue the abducted pupils, teachers and other persons being held in captivity across the country.

The lawmakers also called for enhanced security around schools in Borno State and other vulnerable parts of the country.

They said this should include increased deployment of security personnel, better intelligence gathering and effective rapid-response mechanisms.

The House further advocated the expansion of school protection initiatives, including community-based security arrangements, early warning systems, security awareness programmes and improved surveillance infrastructure around schools.

The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to develop and implement a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework to protect students, teachers and educational institutions from future attacks.

They said the growing wave of attacks on schools required a coordinated national response that would combine security deployment, intelligence, community cooperation and long-term reforms.

At the end of the debate, the House referred the motions to its Committees on Army, Police, and National Security and Intelligence for further legislative action.

The lawmakers also observed a minute’s silence in honour of Michael Oyedokun, other victims of kidnapping and banditry across the country, and security personnel who died in the line of duty.