Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly have strongly opposed calls for negotiations with kidnappers responsible for the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that government efforts should focus on intensified rescue operations and the dismantling of criminal networks.

The lawmakers made their position known during Wednesday’s plenary session, following growing public pressure for authorities to engage the abductors in dialogue to secure the release of the victims.

The abduction crisis began on May 15 when suspected bandits attacked three schools in Oriire LGA, kidnapping approximately 39 students and seven teachers. The situation worsened after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers.

Public concern heightened further after a video surfaced on Instagram showing Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, who is among those held captive. In the video, she disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim and appealed to authorities to urgently negotiate for their freedom.

The development sparked nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), students, civil society groups, and other concerned stakeholders, who demanded immediate action to secure the release of the abductees.

However, lawmakers in Oyo State maintained that negotiating with kidnappers could embolden criminal elements and worsen the security challenges facing the state and the country.

Speaking during the debate, Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, warned against engaging terrorists and armed groups, arguing that such actions could encourage future kidnappings and strengthen criminal operations.

He acknowledged the pain and anxiety being experienced by the families of the victims but urged residents to continue supporting ongoing efforts by security agencies and the state government aimed at securing the safe return of the abductees.

According to the Speaker, the focus should remain on intelligence-driven rescue operations, coordinated security interventions, and sustained pressure on the kidnappers until all victims regain their freedom.

Ogundoyin stressed that yielding to the demands of kidnappers would send the wrong message and could create incentives for similar attacks in the future.

Beyond the immediate rescue efforts, the lawmakers called for urgent measures to strengthen security around schools, particularly those located in vulnerable communities near forests and border areas.

The Assembly urged the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, alongside the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to conduct a comprehensive security assessment of schools situated in high-risk locations.

Among the recommendations made by the lawmakers were the installation of solar-powered lighting systems, construction of perimeter fencing around schools, deployment of surveillance cameras, and the establishment of a comprehensive emergency response framework to address security threats across educational institutions in the state.

The House also directed its Committee on Security and Strategy to undertake an immediate assessment visit to Oriire Local Government Area and recommend urgent legislative measures to address the recurring security challenges in the area.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Johnson Ogundele, the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, shortly after the Assembly reconvened from the Eid-el-Kabir recess.

The motion, 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 Esiele, Oyo and Yawota Communities,” highlighted the worsening security situation in the constituency.

Ogundele noted that Oriire communities have suffered a series of violent attacks since the beginning of the year. He recalled an earlier assault on the National Park Service office in Oloka Village, where five forest guards were killed by armed attackers.

The lawmaker commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response to the latest incident, including the deployment of security personnel, support for rescue operations, and visits to affected communities.

He urged the state government to further strengthen support for security agencies and consider the establishment of a permanent military presence around vulnerable communities and forest corridors frequently targeted by criminal gangs.

Also contributing to the debate, Sanjo Adedoyin, the Majority Leader of the House, reiterated the need for the Federal Government to accelerate efforts toward the creation of state police, describing it as a critical step in addressing persistent security threats at the grassroots level.

The Assembly’s position underscores growing concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings and banditry in parts of Oyo State, while reinforcing calls for stronger security measures, enhanced protection for schools, and a more aggressive approach to rescuing the abducted students and teachers.