The Senate called on the Federal Government on Wednesday to deploy all available resources and intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The abduction, which occurred in the council area, has left families of the victims in distress. The upper chamber expressed concern about the security situation affecting schools across the country and the growing threat to students and educational staff.
In response to the incident, senators urged the government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative, a programme designed to protect learning environments and prevent such attacks. The lawmakers said the initiative needed better funding and wider reach to address security challenges in schools nationwide.
The Senate's demand comes as kidnappings of students continue to plague Nigeria, particularly in the northern and southwestern regions. Schools have become targets for armed groups seeking ransom payments and trying to demonstrate state weakness. The abduction in Oyo adds to a growing list of similar incidents that have forced many parents to withdraw their children from boarding schools.
Senators emphasised that education cannot thrive in an insecure environment and called on security agencies to coordinate better intelligence gathering and response mechanisms. They also urged the government to engage community leaders and traditional rulers in efforts to secure the release of the victims.
