The Oyo State House of Assembly has firmly rejected proposals urging the state government to enter into negotiations with bandits responsible for the abduction of teachers and students during a violent attack in Oriire Local Government Area.

Lawmakers instead called for stronger and more coordinated rescue operations aimed at securing the safe release of all victims taken during the assault on Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities on May 15, 2026.

The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance raised during plenary by Johnson Ogundele, the representative of Oriire State Constituency, shortly after the House reconvened from its Eid-el-Kabir recess.

Presenting the motion, Ogundele described the attack as part of a worsening security situation in the area. He recalled that armed bandits stormed Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo and Yawota communities during school hours, killing a teacher, a student and a commercial motorcyclist, while abducting dozens of pupils, students and teachers.

He also warned that Oriire had experienced repeated violent incidents since January, including an earlier attack on a National Park Service facility in Oloka village where five forest guards were killed.

Ogundele urged Governor Seyi Makinde to intensify emergency response efforts, deploy more security operatives, and personally visit affected communities. He also called for increased support for security agencies and the establishment of a permanent military base in vulnerable areas and forest corridors.

The Assembly further urged the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, alongside the State Universal Basic Education Board, to immediately conduct security assessments of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.

Lawmakers also called for the urgent installation of solar-powered security lighting, perimeter fencing, and CCTV systems in at-risk schools, as well as the development of a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for both public and private institutions.

Reiterating its stance, the House declared that it would not support negotiations with kidnappers, insisting such an approach could worsen insecurity.

Seconding the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove existing barriers delaying its creation.

He noted that recent rescue efforts had exposed the difficulties faced by conventional security agencies in navigating dense forest terrain, which often forces reliance on local vigilantes and the Amotekun Corps.

Other lawmakers also contributed to the debate. Olubisi Oluranti commended Governor Makinde and security agencies but stressed the need for more personnel deployment to vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.

Gbenga Oyekola blamed part of the insecurity on poor oversight of vast federal forest reserves, expressing concern over limited security presence despite reports of mining activities and unusual helicopter movements within the area.

Babajide Gabriel called for broader reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture, recalling earlier concerns raised by Governor Makinde about the limited control state governors have over security agencies despite being regarded as chief security officers.

He also urged increased recruitment into the Amotekun Corps while condemning attempts to politicise the security crisis.

Dawood Olalere noted that kidnapping was no longer confined to remote forests, citing recent abductions in urban and semi-urban areas, including the reported kidnapping of the sister of former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu and her two sons.

He called for improved equipment and better weaponry for Amotekun operatives, arguing that lightly armed personnel cannot effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs.

Following deliberations, the Assembly adopted several 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 LGA.

Lawmakers also urged the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency to provide psychosocial support, trauma counselling, and relief materials to affected families.

Traditional rulers, community leaders, and local government authorities were encouraged to strengthen intelligence gathering and community-based security efforts.

The House further mandated its Committee on Security and Strategy to visit Oriire LGA, assess the situation, and recommend urgent legislative interventions.

In his remarks, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin strongly dismissed calls for negotiations with terrorists and kidnappers, warning that such a move would embolden criminal groups and trigger further attacks.

He acknowledged the pain of families whose relatives remain in captivity but urged continued support for ongoing rescue operations.

Ogundoyin maintained that the focus must remain on intelligence-driven security operations and coordinated efforts aimed at safely rescuing all abducted victims, while reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening security across the state.