Senator Buhari Abdulfatai Leads Motion on Oriire School Kidnap, Calls for Stronger School Security

The Senate has expressed grave concern and deep national outrage over the abduction of forty-nine (49) persons, comprising school children, teachers and a toddler, by armed kidnappers in Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to the motion sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, three (3) persons were shot during the attack, one (1) was beheaded, while forty-five (45) others remain in captivity.
The Senate noted that the victims were abducted from a learning environment that should ordinarily represent safety, hope and the future of the nation.
Lawmakers also expressed deep concern that a toddler is among those being held captive, describing the development as a reflection of the cruelty and inhumanity of the perpetrators.
The motion further lamented the gruesome killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher, who was beheaded by the attackers, with the act reportedly recorded and circulated publicly. Senators described the incident as barbaric and one that has instilled fear among residents of Oyo State and Nigerians generally.
The Senate observed that the incident has generated widespread anxiety and public outrage while raising serious concerns about the security of schools and rural communities across the country.
It further noted that when schools become targets for criminal activities, the future of the nation is placed at risk.
The lawmakers acknowledged the visit of a Federal Government 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 Oriire Local Government Area on Sunday, May 31, 2026, to sympathize with the families of the victims.
Senate Resolutions
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to:
Condemn in the strongest terms the abduction of the school children, teachers and toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while commiserating with the affected families, communities and the Oyo State Government.
Urge the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to intensify efforts and deploy every necessary resource to secure the immediate rescue of the victims.
Call on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through improved surveillance, intelligence gathering and enhanced security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities nationwide.
Speaking on the motion, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai said it was unfortunate that criminal elements had continued to spread across the country, stressing the need for stronger security measures to protect lives and property.
He urged relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward addressing insecurity and safeguarding citizens across the federation.
“I so move,” the senator concluded.