RismadarVoice Reporters
June 3, 2026
The Senate has renewed pressure on the Federal Government of Nigeria and security agencies to secure the release of students, pupils, and teachers abducted during a recent attack on schools in Oyo State.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who drew the attention of lawmakers to the incident in which 46 persons, including schoolchildren and teachers, were reportedly kidnapped.
During deliberations on the motion, senators expressed concern over the growing wave of attacks on educational institutions and called for urgent measures to protect schools and communities from criminal groups.
Lawmakers urged state governments to strengthen local security arrangements and complement federal efforts aimed at addressing insecurity across the country.
Several senators also questioned the effectiveness of current security strategies and spending, calling for greater accountability from security agencies and military authorities.
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, cited a similar incident in Kebbi State earlier this year, where schoolchildren were abducted after security personnel were allegedly withdrawn from the area shortly before the attack.
Oshiomhole recalled that the Senate had previously directed military authorities to identify the officer responsible for ordering the withdrawal but noted that the directive had yet to be implemented.
“We passed a resolution asking the military to produce the name of the officer who gave the order. To date, no action has been taken,” he said.
Some lawmakers further called on President Bola Tinubu to seek explanations from security chiefs regarding persistent security breaches and the continued abduction of schoolchildren in different parts of the country.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through improved surveillance systems, enhanced intelligence gathering, and increased deployment of security personnel to vulnerable schools and communities.
The upper chamber emphasised that protecting educational institutions remains critical to safeguarding the future of the nation and preventing disruptions to learning caused by insecurity.
The Oyo abduction has continued to attract national concern, with labour unions, civil society groups, and public officials calling for intensified rescue efforts and stronger measures to secure schools across Nigeria.
