On Tuesday, the House of Representatives demanded that at least 72 teachers and students who had been kidnapped in the states of Oyo and Borno be immediately rescued.
In order to confront the growing insecurity throughout the nation, the House also urged the federal government to enact comprehensive reforms and bolster security around schools.
According to what Naija News knows, the decisions came after two motions of urgent public concern that were sponsored during plenary by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala and Hon. Midala Usman Balami were adopted.
Concerned about the ongoing attacks on schools, the politicians warned that the pattern was risking lives, harming education, and increasing anxiety among parents, teachers, and kids.
In his motion, Alao-Akala expressed concern over the state of security in Oyo State’s Ogbomoso and Orire local government areas.
He mentioned the May 16, 2025, kidnapping of around thirty students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota; Community Grammar School in Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
The congressman also bemoaned the death of Michael Oyedokun, a math instructor who was allegedly decapitated while being held captive.
According to him, the incident demonstrated the increasing threat presented by criminal organizations operating in and around Old Oyo National Park and the surrounding forests.
He claims that the forest corridor, which connects broader travel routes and extends towards Kwara State, has turned into a haven for bandits and kidnappers.
Alao-Akala cautioned that communities in Oyo State as well as the larger South-West area were seriously threatened by the development.
A lawmaker is looking for a military base in Oriire.
The congressman recognized the Federal Government’s approval of 1,000 forest guards for the region and the ongoing rescue efforts by security services.
However, he claimed that in order to save those who were still in captivity and stop further attacks, more immediate and persistent action was required.
In Oriire Local Government Area, Alao-Akala called on the Federal Government to set up a permanent military forward operating base.
According to him, the camp would support ongoing security efforts in the Old Oyo National Park and its environs.
Additionally, the member reiterated calls for the decentralization of Nigeria’s security apparatus in accordance with previous suggestions.
According to him, these reforms ought to involve the creation of an integrated intelligence and surveillance network, decentralized courts, state police, and local government policing units.
The kidnapping of Borno
Balami expressed worry in a separate motion regarding the alleged kidnapping of forty-two pupils from Mussa Ward in Borno State’s Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
He brought up earlier mass kidnappings and assaults in the state, such as the kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 and assaults on Ngoshe and other towns.
Many victims of previous incidents, according to Balami, went missing years after being kidnapped.
He claimed that ongoing attacks on towns and schools have traumatized families and eroded public trust in the government’s ability to defend its population.
The congressman went on to say that parents’ growing concerns about their children’s safety had led to a decline in school enrollment and attendance in vulnerable communities.
Adopting the resolutions, the House called on the Federal Government and pertinent security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to free the kidnapped students, educators, and others who are being held captive nationwide.
Additionally, the lawmakers demanded increased security in Borno State and other areas of the nation that are at risk.
They stated that this should entail more security people being deployed, improved intelligence collection, and efficient rapid-response systems.
The House also promoted the growth of school safety programs, such as enhanced monitoring infrastructure surrounding schools, early warning systems, community-based security arrangements, and security awareness campaigns.
In order to safeguard students, instructors, and educational institutions from potential threats, the MPs encouraged the federal government to create and execute a thorough Safe Schools Security Framework.
They claimed that a coordinated national response involving security deployment, intelligence gathering, community collaboration, and long-term reforms was necessary in light of the increasing number of attacks on schools.
The House forwarded the measures to the Committees on Army, Police, and National Security and Intelligence for additional legislative action at the conclusion of the debate.
In remembrance of Michael Oyedokun, other victims of kidnapping and banditry throughout the nation, and security professionals who lost their lives while performing their duties, the lawmakers also observed a minute of silence.
