Lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly have ruled out any form of negotiation with abductors holding schoolchildren and teachers in parts of Oyo State, insisting that rescue operations and security action should remain the focus.
The position was taken during Wednesday’s plenary following renewed public concern over the May 15 attack in Ogbomoso and surrounding communities. Armed attackers struck three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, taking about 39 students and seven teachers away. Days later, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was confirmed killed by the captors.
Tension increased further after a video surfaced online showing Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, who is among those abducted. In the recording, she said the abductors had issued fresh threats against another captive, prompting renewed calls for immediate intervention.
The situation has triggered protests from teachers and education stakeholders, including members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, who have demanded urgent action from authorities.
Despite these appeals, the Assembly maintained that engaging the kidnappers would weaken ongoing security efforts. Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said any form of negotiation could embolden armed groups and increase the risk of further attacks. He urged residents to support coordinated operations by security agencies rather than pursue dialogue with the abductors.
Lawmakers also called for intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at locating and rescuing the victims. They stressed that pressure on the armed group must be sustained until all abducted persons are freed.
Beyond the rescue effort, the Assembly directed education authorities, including the state ministry and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, to assess vulnerable schools, particularly those located near forests and boundary communities. Proposed measures include stronger perimeter security, solar-powered lighting, surveillance systems, and structured emergency response plans.
The House also mandated its committee on security and strategy to visit affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area for an on-the-ground assessment and to recommend immediate legislative responses.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Johnson Ogundele, representing Oriire constituency, who highlighted repeated attacks in the area since early 2026, including a deadly assault on a National Park Service office in Oloka village that claimed the lives of five forest guards.
Ogundele commended Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as rapid deployment of security forces and visits to affected communities, while urging stronger federal support and consideration of a permanent security presence along vulnerable forest routes.
The motion was seconded by Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin and adopted by the House.
The latest resolution comes amid broader insecurity concerns in the state. Earlier the same day, gunmen abducted Olaide John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan.
