The Oyo State House of Assembly has firmly dismissed calls for any form of negotiation with the armed groups responsible for the abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that priority must remain the swift rescue of all victims.
The position was taken during plenary on Wednesday following a motion of urgent public importance raised by the lawmaker representing Oriire Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, shortly after lawmakers resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir recess.
Ogundele drew attention to the violent attack on Ahoro-Esiele and nearby communities on May 15, 2026, where armed men invaded during school hours, killing a teacher, a student, and a motorcyclist, while abducting several pupils, students, and educators.
He warned that insecurity in the area had worsened since the beginning of the year, citing earlier deadly attacks, including an incident at a National Park Service facility in Oloka village where forest guards were killed.
The lawmaker appealed for urgent intervention from the state government led by Seyi Makinde, urging intensified rescue efforts, increased security deployment, and a direct visit to affected communities. He also called for the establishment of a permanent military presence in vulnerable forest corridors.
Lawmakers also urged education authorities, including the Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board, to carry out immediate security assessments of schools located near forests and border communities.
The Assembly further recommended the installation of solar-powered streetlights, perimeter fencing, CCTV systems, and the development of a statewide emergency response framework for schools.
In a strong resolution, the House reiterated its rejection of any proposal to negotiate with the kidnappers, stressing that such action could embolden criminal groups.
Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin, renewed calls for the creation of state police, arguing that existing federal security structures are overstretched, especially in forested areas.
He noted that recent rescue operations revealed the dependence on local vigilantes and the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, due to difficult terrain and limited manpower.
Other lawmakers supported stronger security reforms, with some blaming gaps in forest management and weak surveillance in large federal reserves spanning Oyo and neighbouring states.
During the debate, members expressed concern that kidnapping was no longer limited to forest regions but was increasingly spreading into urban and semi-urban areas.
One lawmaker referenced the recent abduction of relatives of a former Minister of Power as evidence of the widening threat.
Others called for better funding, equipment, and modern weapons for Amotekun operatives, arguing that poorly equipped personnel cannot effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs.
The Assembly adopted several resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Defence to establish a permanent military base in Oriire LGA.
It also directed the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide psychological support and relief materials to victims’ families, while urging traditional rulers and community leaders to strengthen intelligence gathering.
An oversight visit to the affected communities was also approved to assess the situation and recommend further legislative action.
Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin strongly reinforced the Assembly’s stance, warning that negotiating with kidnappers would only strengthen criminal networks and encourage further attacks.
While acknowledging the emotional toll on families of abducted victims, he insisted that ongoing rescue operations must be sustained and supported rather than replaced with concessions.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to improving security across the state and preventing future attacks on schools and communities.