The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday, dismissed proposals and pleas for the state government to engage in negotiations with the bandits who kidnapped teachers and students during the coordinated assault at Ahoro-Esiele in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday, May 15, 2026.
It urged, however, for enhanced rescue efforts to ensure the liberation of individuals taken during the assault.
This decision came after an urgent public importance motion presented by the representative of Oriire State Constituency, Johnson Ogundele, during the plenary session, shortly after the House reconvened from the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) break.
The motion emphasised the increasing insecurity in certain areas of the Oriire Local Government Area within the state.
In presenting the motion, Ogundele detailed the May 15 assault on the Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo, and Yawota communities, where armed intruders struck during school hours, resulting in the deaths of a teacher, a student, and an okada rider, while also kidnapping many students, pupils, and teachers.
The legislator voiced worry regarding the ongoing assaults in the region, stating, “Oriire has experienced rising bandit operations since January, which includes the assault on the National Park Service office in Oloka village, resulting in the deaths of five forest guards.”
“Let me use this period to call on Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visits to the affected communities.
“I want to equally urge the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area.”
The Oyo 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 across the state.
It said, “The Assembly also urges the government to expedite the installation of solar-powered security lights, perimeter fencing and CCTV cameras in vulnerable schools and to develop a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for public and private schools across Oyo.
“The Assembly equally rejects suggestions and calls that the state government should negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students during the coordinated attack at the community in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on Friday, May 15, 2026.”
Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), stressed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove all obstacles delaying its creation.
Adedoyin noted that the recent rescue operations exposed the challenges conventional security agencies face while navigating dense forests, forcing them to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the state Western Nigeria Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, to penetrate difficult terrains.
He stated that the security realities confronting states had further justified the need for state police and urged the federal government to expedite action on the initiative.
Adding to the discussion, Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North) praised Governor Makinde and the security agencies but emphasised the necessity for more personnel to be sent to at-risk communities to avert future assaults.
Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba) attributed some of the security issues to ineffective management of the vast forest reserve owned and maintained by the Federal Government.
He expressed sorrow that, although the extensive forest spans multiple areas of Oyo State and adjacent regions, the security presence within the reserve was still insufficient.
Oyekola also voiced worries that, despite reports of mining in certain forest areas and sightings of helicopters arriving and leaving, sufficient security measures had not been established to safeguard residents and legitimate businesses.
He encouraged all parties to tackle the challenge together, emphasising that insecurity has turned into a national issue necessitating coordinated efforts.
Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) noted that kidnapping has progressed beyond being solely a forest crime and is now increasingly impacting urban and semi-urban areas.
He mentioned the reported kidnapping of the sister of former minister of power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, along with her two sons earlier Wednesday as proof of the growing danger presented by kidnappers.
Olalere advocated for enhanced equipment and advanced weaponry for Amotekun operatives, contending that agents equipped with locally made weapons were unable to effectively tackle well-armed criminal gangs active in forests and isolated areas.
The House later approved multiple resolutions, including a request to the federal government, via the Ministry of Defence and related agencies, to create a permanent military base in Oriire LGA.
Legislators additionally called for the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to offer trauma counselling, psychosocial assistance, and relief supplies to impacted families, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders, and local government officials to enhance intelligence gathering and community policing efforts.
The Assembly also instructed its Committee on Security and Strategy to conduct an oversight visit to Oriire LGA to evaluate the security conditions, interact with stakeholders, and propose immediate legislative actions.
In his statements, Speaker of the House Adebo Ogundoyin strongly “rejected demands for the state government to engage in negotiations with terrorists and kidnappers”, cautioning that “this action might reinforce criminal groups and provoke additional assaults.”
Recognising the frustration, anxiety, and impatience of families with loved ones still in captivity, the Speaker encouraged residents to keep backing security agencies and the state government in current rescue operations.
Ogundoyin argued that engaging with terrorists would convey a negative message and could reinforce criminal organisations, emphasising that attention should remain on ongoing security efforts, intelligence collection, and organised rescue operations to ensure the safe return of all captives.
He thus reiterated the Assembly’s dedication to backing initiatives aimed at enhancing security throughout Oyo and averting future attacks on schools and communities.
