Oyo Assembly rejects negotiation with terrorists, commends Gov. Makinde

Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly have rejected calls for the state government to negotiate with kidnappers holding dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, insisting that security agencies should instead intensify rescue efforts to secure their release.

On May 15, suspected bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers.

The crisis worsened days later when one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers.

In a recent video shared on Instagram, Rachael Alamu, Principal of Community High School, Esiele, and one of the abductees, said the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim and appealed to authorities to urgently negotiate for their release.

The abduction sparked widespread outrage, leading to nationwide protests over the past two days by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders.

However, during plenary on Wednesday, lawmakers maintained that the priority should be the safe rescue of the victims through sustained security operations rather than dialogue with the abductors.

Speaking during the session, Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the House, warned that negotiating with kidnappers could embolden criminal groups, encourage further attacks, and strengthen criminal networks.

Ogundoyin acknowledged the pain and trauma being experienced by the victims’ families but urged residents to continue supporting the efforts of security agencies and the Oyo State Government to secure the release of the abductees.

According to reports, the Speaker argued that engaging armed groups would send the wrong message and potentially worsen the security situation.

He stressed that security agencies must remain committed to coordinated operations, intelligence-driven interventions, and sustained pressure on the kidnappers until all the victims are freed.

The lawmakers also directed the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to immediately assess the security situation in schools located near forests and border communities.

They further called for the installation of solar-powered lighting systems, perimeter fencing, and surveillance cameras in high-risk schools, as well as the development of a comprehensive emergency response framework for schools across the state.

In addition, the Assembly mandated its Committee on Security and Strategy to visit Oriire Local Government Area for an on-the-spot assessment and to recommend urgent legislative measures.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Johnson Ogundele, the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, shortly after the House resumed from its Eid-el-Kabir recess.

The motion was titled: “Urgent Need for the Executive Arm of Government Through Its Security Architecture to Proactively Nip in the Bud the Spike and Recurring Bandit Attacks on Oriire Communities Since the Beginning of 2026 and to Intensify Rescue and Manhunt Operations to Secure the Release of the Abductees of the Recent Attack on Esiele, Oyo and Yawota Communities.”

Presenting the motion, Ogundele noted that Oriire had suffered repeated attacks since January, including an earlier assault on the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, where five forest guards were killed.

He commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts, and visits to the affected communities.

Ogundele also urged the government to strengthen support for security agencies and consider establishing a permanent military presence around vulnerable communities and forest corridors.

The Majority Leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin, who seconded the motion, called on the Federal Government to accelerate plans for the establishment of state police.

The debate comes amid growing concerns over rising insecurity across Oyo State.

Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen abducted Olaide John-Paul, the younger sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in Ibadan, the state capital.