The Senate on Wednesday issued a stark ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the immediate rescue of dozens of schoolchildren, teachers, and other victims snatched by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The upper chamber warned that the relentless attacks on schools are carving a deep wound into the nation’s future.
The lawmakers did not mince words. They called for a dramatic overhaul of the Safe Schools Initiative, urging the government to flood vulnerable schools and communities with enhanced surveillance, sharper intelligence gathering, and a fortified security presence. The motion, sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo Central), painted a harrowing picture of the May 15 assault on Ahoro-Esiele and neighboring villages.
Buhari described the abduction of children and teachers from a place meant to be a sanctuary of learning as a direct strike on Nigeria’s destiny. He revealed that a toddler was among those taken, a detail he said exposes the sheer brutality of the attackers. The senator also mourned the killing of a teacher, calling it a tragic emblem of the security nightmare gripping rural communities.
The Senate chamber fell silent for a minute to honor the dead, before pivoting to action. Lawmakers directed security agencies to throw every available resource into securing the hostages’ release and to fortify defenses against future raids. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) seized the moment to demand a forensic audit of security agency budgets, arguing that the National Assembly must tighten oversight to ensure every naira spent translates into safety. Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) pushed back, urging state governments to step up, noting that ungoverned spaces across the country are breeding grounds for criminal enterprise.
The Senate acknowledged a recent visit by a Federal Government delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the President, who toured the affected community. But Buhari, speaking to journalists after the session, pleaded for restraint. He warned Nigerians not to politicize the tragedy, stressing that the rescue operation is a delicate dance involving the lives of children. He cautioned against disclosing sensitive operational details, which could unravel ongoing efforts. The focus, he insisted, must remain singular: secure the safe return of the abductees and restore faith in the safety of schools nationwide.
