The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday ruled out any proposal urging the state government to enter negotiations with bandits responsible for the abduction of teachers and students during a coordinated attack on Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Instead, lawmakers called for intensified rescue operations aimed at securing the release of all victims taken during the assault on communities within the area.
The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Johnson Ogundele, who represents Oriire State Constituency, during plenary shortly after the House reconvened from its Eid-el-Kabir recess.
Titled “Urgent Need for the Executive Arm of Government Through Its Security Architecture to Proactively Nip in the Bud the Spike and Recurring Bandit Attacks on Oriire Communities Since the Beginning of 2026 and to Intensify Rescue and Manhunt Operations to Secure the Release of the Abductees of the Recent Attack on Esinele, Oyo and Yawota Communities,” the motion highlighted rising insecurity across parts of the local government area.
While presenting the motion, Ogundele detailed the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esienle, Oyo and Yawota communities, where armed men invaded schools during learning hours, killing a teacher, a student and an okada rider, and abducting several pupils, students and teachers.
He expressed concern over the recurring violence in the area, noting that Oriire had experienced repeated attacks since January, including an assault on the National Park Service office in Oloka village, where five forest guards were killed.
“Let me use this period to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response, deployment of security operatives, rescue efforts and personal visit 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,” he said.
The Assembly also tasked the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board with conducting immediate security assessments of schools located near forest zones and border settlements across Oyo State.
Lawmakers further resolved that the government should accelerate the installation of solar-powered streetlights, perimeter fencing and CCTV systems in high-risk schools, while also developing a comprehensive Safe School Emergency Response Protocol for both public and private institutions.
They also reaffirmed that the state government should not engage in negotiations with the abductors responsible for the attack in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
Backing the motion, Majority Leader Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South) renewed calls for the establishment of state police, urging the Federal Government to remove all barriers delaying its creation.
“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 argued that current security realities strengthened the case for state policing and urged swift federal action.
Also contributing, Olubisi Oluranti (Ogbomoso North) commended Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies for their response but stressed the need for more personnel deployment to vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks.
Gbenga Oyekola (Atiba) blamed part of the insecurity on poor oversight of vast forest reserves owned by the Federal Government, noting that security presence in such areas remained inadequate despite their size and spread across several states.
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He also raised concerns about reported mining activities in some forest areas, including sightings of helicopters operating in and out of the region, while questioning the absence of adequate security monitoring.
Babajide Gabriel (Ibadan North II) called for deep reforms in Nigeria’s security structure, recalling the governor’s earlier concerns about the limitations faced by state leaders who serve as chief security officers without direct control over security agencies.
He also urged expansion of the Amotekun Corps and condemned attempts to politicise insecurity issues.
Dawood Olalere (Ibadan North-West) noted that kidnapping was no longer confined to forests but had extended into urban and semi-urban areas, citing the reported abduction of relatives of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, as evidence of the growing threat.
He called for improved equipment and stronger firepower for Amotekun operatives, arguing that locally made weapons were insufficient against heavily armed criminal gangs.
The House subsequently adopted a series of resolutions, including a call on the Federal Government through the Ministry of Defence to establish a permanent military base in Oriire Local Government Area.
Lawmakers also directed the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) to provide trauma care, psychosocial support and relief materials to affected families, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders and local governments to strengthen intelligence sharing and community policing efforts.
The House Committee on Security and Strategy was further mandated to visit Oriire Local Government Area for an on-the-spot assessment and to recommend urgent legislative interventions.
In his closing remarks, Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin firmly rejected calls for negotiation with terrorists and kidnappers, warning that such action could embolden criminal groups and worsen insecurity.
While acknowledging the pain and anxiety of families of abducted victims, the Speaker urged continued cooperation with security agencies in ongoing rescue operations.
He maintained that the focus should remain on intelligence-driven operations and coordinated efforts to secure the safe release of victims, reaffirming the Assembly’s commitment to strengthening security across the state and preventing future attacks.
