By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Senate on Wednesday condemned in strong terms the abduction of dozens of school children, teachers and a toddler in Ahoro-Esiele and surrounding communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as a grave threat to Nigeria’s education system and national future.
The upper chamber also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North), titled “The Abduction of School Children, Teachers and a Toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.”
Presenting the motion, Senator Buhari informed lawmakers that armed kidnappers invaded the area and abducted 49 persons, including school children, teachers and a toddler.
According to him, the attack left a trail of tragedy, with three victims shot, one teacher brutally beheaded, while 45 others remain in captivity.
“The victims were abducted from a learning environment that ought to symbolize safety, hope and the future of our nation,” he said.
The lawmaker particularly decried the gruesome killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was allegedly beheaded by the kidnappers, describing the act as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable.
He warned that attacks on educational institutions pose a serious danger to national development.
“When schools become hunting grounds for criminals, the future of the nation itself is imperiled,” Buhari stated.
The Senate noted that the incident had sparked widespread fear, anxiety and outrage among residents of Oyo State and Nigerians across the country.
Lawmakers also acknowledged the intervention of the Federal Government, including the visit of a delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, alongside the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Inspector-General of Police, to assess the situation and sympathize with affected families.
Addressing concerns raised by some lawmakers over perceived differences in the Federal Government’s response compared to previous kidnapping incidents in other parts of the country, Senator Buhari defended the administration’s actions.
He argued that security operations are often tailored to the specific circumstances of each incident and should not be judged solely by public visibility.
“I disagree with that comparison. Procedures may be different depending on the circumstances on the ground. The approach adopted in one situation may not necessarily be the same in another,” he said.
The senator disclosed that he had personally visited the affected communities several times before the arrival of the Federal Government delegation and remained in constant communication with security agencies coordinating rescue efforts.
“There are many things that cannot be discussed publicly when it comes to security matters. This particular incident is extremely painful and has several peculiar dimensions,” he added.
During the debate, Buhari recounted heartbreaking experiences from the affected communities, highlighting the human cost of the attack.
He narrated the emotional encounter he had with the widow of the slain teacher, Mr. Oyedokun, during a condolence visit.
“All she kept saying was, ‘I just want my husband.’ The pain was unimaginable,” he said.
He further revealed that another teacher was shot dead while attempting to escape through a window during the attack.
The senator also recounted the killing of a commercial motorcycle rider who was reportedly mistaken by the kidnappers for someone pursuing them. According to him, the rider was merely conveying a passenger between neighbouring communities when he was shot and killed.
In another tragic account, Buhari disclosed that a man whose wife and four children were abducted became overwhelmed by despair and contemplated suicide.
“I had to plead with him not to lose hope. I asked him to think about what would happen if his wife and children returned home and found that he was no longer there,” he told the Senate.
The lawmaker painted a picture of widespread panic in the affected communities, saying many residents fled their homes following the attack.
According to him, the atmosphere of fear was so intense that he was initially unable to visit the area in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
“Everybody ran away from the town. The fear was overwhelming,” he said.
He, however, noted that confidence gradually returned after the deployment of military reinforcements, including battalions led by senior military officers, to support ongoing rescue operations.
“The deployment of troops helped restore confidence among residents and strengthened ongoing rescue efforts,” he added.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously resolved to condemn the abduction of the school children, teachers and toddler in Oriire Local Government Area, while commiserating with the affected families, communities and the Oyo State Government.
The Senate also urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and deploy all necessary resources to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.
Lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence gathering and stronger security measures around schools and vulnerable communities nationwide.
Concluding his presentation, Senator Buhari stressed the need for more decisive action against criminal elements threatening lives and education across the country.
“It is sad that these criminals and evil-minded people are now everywhere in our country. We must strengthen security to protect lives and property and ensure that our schools remain safe places for learning,” he said.
