By Stephen Simon
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Nearly three weeks after armed bandits stormed schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, killing a teacher, a student and a commercial motorcyclist before whisking away dozens of pupils, students and teachers, many families are still trapped in a painful wait for the return of their loved ones.
The attack, which occurred on May 15 during school hours, sent shockwaves across Oyo State and revived painful memories of the growing wave of school abductions that have plagued parts of Nigeria in recent years. Terrified pupils fled in different directions as gunmen invaded the communities, while anxious parents rushed to schools amid confusion and fear over the fate of their children.
Against the backdrop of the lingering trauma, the Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday firmly rejected suggestions that the state government should negotiate with the kidnappers, insisting that security agencies must instead intensify rescue operations to secure the safe release of all victims still in captivity.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, shortly after the House resumed plenary from the Eid-el-Kabir recess.
Moving the motion, 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 Esinele, Oyo and Yawota Communities,” Ogundele lamented the worsening security situation in the area.
He recalled how armed bandits invaded Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo and Yawota communities on May 15, attacking schools and unleashing violence that left families devastated and entire communities traumatised.
According to him, the incident was not isolated, as Oriire Local Government Area had witnessed repeated attacks since the beginning of the year.
The lawmaker cited the earlier attack on the National Park Service office at Oloka village where five forest guards were killed, warning that criminal groups appeared to be gaining confidence in parts of the area.
Ogundele commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift intervention following the school attack, including the deployment of security personnel, rescue efforts and his personal visit to the affected communities.
He, however, urged the government to strengthen support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the local government area.
The Assembly also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board to immediately conduct security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements.
Lawmakers urged the government to accelerate the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV surveillance systems in vulnerable schools while developing a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol across the state.
Seconding the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin renewed calls for the establishment of state police, arguing that the recent rescue operations exposed the limitations of the current security structure.
According to him, security agencies were forced to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the Amotekun Corps to navigate dense forests and difficult terrain in search of the abducted victims.
Contributing to the debate, several lawmakers expressed concern that insecurity was spreading beyond remote forest communities and increasingly threatening schools and settlements previously considered safe.
Gbenga Oyekola blamed part of the challenge on poor management of the vast forest reserves controlled by the Federal Government, noting that security presence in many of the forests remained grossly inadequate despite reports of mining activities and helicopter movements in some locations.
Babajide Gabriel called for broader reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture and urged the recruitment of additional Amotekun personnel to strengthen local security operations.
Dawood Olalere warned that kidnapping had evolved beyond forest-based criminality and was increasingly affecting urban and semi-urban communities, calling for better equipment and weaponry for Amotekun operatives.
The House subsequently adopted a series of resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Defence and other relevant agencies to establish a permanent military base in Oriire Local Government Area.
Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) to provide trauma counselling, psychosocial support and relief materials for families affected by the attack.
Observers say such support may prove crucial, as many pupils, parents and residents continue to grapple with the psychological impact of the violence and uncertainty surrounding those still missing.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, firmly rejected calls for negotiations with kidnappers, warning that yielding to criminal demands could embolden armed groups and encourage future attacks on schools and communities.
While acknowledging the frustration, anxiety and emotional pain being endured by families whose loved ones remain in captivity, the Speaker urged residents to continue supporting security agencies and ongoing rescue operations.
Ogundoyin maintained that negotiating with terrorists and kidnappers would send the wrong signal and strengthen criminal networks, insisting that the focus must remain on intelligence gathering, sustained security operations and coordinated rescue missions aimed at bringing every victim home safely.
He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting measures that would strengthen security across Oyo State and prevent a recurrence of attacks that have left families grieving, communities traumatised and schoolchildren afraid of returning to their classrooms.
