IBADAN — The Oyo State House of Assembly has formally rejected proposals for the state government to negotiate with the bandits who abducted teachers and students from Ahoro-Esienle in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. In a firm stance against criminal extortion, the lawmakers have demanded intensified rescue efforts to secure the victims' safe release.

A Firm Stand Against Banditry

During Wednesday's plenary, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin emphasized that entering into negotiations would only embolden criminal elements and set a dangerous precedent. The Assembly’s resolution insists that the focus must remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering, and coordinated tactical rescue missions.

The motion, moved by Johnson Ogundele (Oriire Constituency), highlighted the rising tide of insecurity in the area. Since January 2026, the region has faced recurring attacks, including the tragic killing of forest guards and a coordinated assault on schools during academic hours.

Call for Structural Security Reforms

The debate underscored a growing frustration among legislators regarding the limitations of the current national security architecture. Key resolutions and demands from the House include:

Permanent Military Presence: A formal call to the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in the Oriire axis to secure vulnerable communities and forest corridors.

State Police Advocacy: Lawmakers, led by Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin, reiterated the urgent need for state-controlled policing. They argued that current challenges in navigating dense forest terrains highlight the necessity for a more localized, empowered security force.

School Security Audits: A directive to the Ministry of Education and SUBEB to conduct immediate security audits of schools near forests and border areas, with plans for CCTV, perimeter fencing, and solar-powered lighting.

Strengthening Amotekun: Lawmakers called for the recruitment of more personnel and the provision of sophisticated weaponry for the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), noting that local operatives currently struggle to match the firepower of heavily armed criminal gangs.

Addressing the Broader Security Crisis

The Assembly’s deliberations also touched upon the widening scope of insecurity in Oyo State. Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) pointed to the recent kidnapping of the family members of former Minister Adebayo Adelabu as evidence that criminal activity is no longer confined to remote forests but is increasingly targeting urban and semi-urban areas.

Additional resolutions passed by the House include:

Humanitarian Support: Directing the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) to provide trauma counseling and relief materials to the families of victims.

Intelligence Gathering: Urging traditional rulers and local government authorities to boost community-based intelligence networks.

Oversight Visit: The House Committee on Security and Strategy has been directed to visit Oriire LGA immediately to assess the ground reality and recommend further legislative interventions.

The Speaker concluded by urging citizens to remain patient and cooperative with security agencies, reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to preventing further attacks and ensuring the safety of students and educators across the state.