Nigeria: Senate urges FG to mobilise all resources for rescue of abducted Oyo, Borno schoolchildren
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria
The Senate has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts and deploy all necessary resources for the immediate rescue of teachers, pupils, and students abducted by terrorists in Oyo and Borno states.
The resolution followed a motion on the abduction of 49 people, including schoolchildren, teachers, and a toddler, in Ahoro-Esiele and adjoining communities of Orire Local Government Area, Oyo State, on May 15, 2026. The motion was sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, APC, Oyo North.
Presenting the motion under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, Buhari said the victims were taken from schools that ought to symbolise safety and hope. He reported that three people were shot, one Mathematics teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in a gruesome manner and the act was recorded and circulated, while 45 others remain in captivity. The inclusion of a toddler among the captives, he said, underscored the cruelty of the perpetrators.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of those killed. Lawmakers condemned the abduction in the strongest terms and called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and improved security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities nationwide.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North, said the Senate must go beyond lamentation and conduct security audits. He cited an earlier abduction of nearly 200 children about 40 minutes after military personnel were reportedly withdrawn from a school. The Senate had previously asked the military to identify the officer who gave the withdrawal order and state what action had been taken, but Oshiomhole said no response had been received.
“We need to know how appropriated funds were spent, who received them, and what results were achieved. This Senate is entitled to answers to the questions it has unanimously asked,” he said.
Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East, acknowledged government efforts to strengthen security through procurement, recruitment, and funding, but said there is a difference between policy formulators and those on the frontlines. He called for service chiefs to be held to account for resources allocated to them, noting persistent complaints about inadequate allowances for troops despite budgetary allocations.
Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North, who presided, said decisive action had been taken by the President and the military had been urged to step up. “Security is a collective responsibility. We must work together, the executive, the legislature, the military, and all stakeholders, bringing our wisdom, foresight, and resources together to end these atrocities,” he said.
As the Senate debated the motion, gunmen were reported to have attacked the Nigeria Immigration Service office in Ogbomoso on Tuesday night, disarming officers on duty and making away with firearms. The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. along the Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway. Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said he had not yet received an official briefing.
In Ibadan, the family of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, confirmed the abduction of his younger sister, Mrs Olaide Busayo John-Paul, and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, by gunmen in the Elewura-Challenge area around 7:30 a.m. while she was taking the children to school. The Oyo State Police Command said it had recovered the victim’s vehicle and commenced intensive investigation.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar demanded that President Bola Tinubu immediately mobilise security and intelligence agencies to secure the unconditional release of the abducted children. He described the reported distribution of rice and palliatives to victims’ families as “cruel” and “an abdication of responsibility.”
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi made a direct appeal to the kidnappers to release the children “for the sake of our shared humanity,” saying no grievance could outweigh the sanctity of a child’s life.
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, expressed solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, over the strike called in response to the abductions. NLC President Joe Ajaero said the labour body would not hesitate to embark on a solidarity action if government failed to take issues of collective security more seriously.
