….Reps Urge FG, Security Agencies to Bring Victims Home Alive
….Ogun Protesters Demand Urgent Action, Security Reforms
By Peter Taiwo
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the safe and immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The lawmakers made the call during plenary on Tuesday following a motion moved by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims.
The abductees were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; and L.A. Primary School during a coordinated attack by armed bandits about two weeks ago.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Alao-Akala stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that every passing hour increases the danger facing the victims.
“Bring our remaining sons, daughters and teachers home alive without further delay, for every hour lost is an hour in which we risk losing them forever,” he said.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a teacher at Community Grammar School, who was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
To strengthen security in the area, the House called for the establishment of a permanent military forward operating base in Oriire Local Government Area, in addition to the deployment of the 1,000 forest guards earlier approved by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the lawmakers, a sustained security presence around the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding border corridors is necessary to prevent criminal elements from using the area as a safe haven.
The House further renewed calls for the implementation of a decentralised security architecture, including the creation of state police, local government policing units, decentralised courts and an integrated national intelligence and surveillance network.
The lawmakers argued that continued delays in implementing these measures have contributed to the worsening security situation across the country.
The call by the National Assembly comes amid growing nationwide protests over the abduction. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), labour groups and civil society organisations staged demonstrations in several states, including Oyo, Ogun, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Edo, Rivers and Yobe.
In Ogun State, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), NUT and several civil society groups marched through major streets of Abeokuta, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Set Our Teachers and Pupils Free From Captivity” and “Government Should Rise Up to Its Security Responsibilities,” the protesters called attention to the growing threat insecurity poses to the education sector.
National Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Yinka Folarin, urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and address the broader insecurity challenge facing the nation.
“As a matter of responsibility, we are not supposed to live in fear in our country. The government must create an enabling environment, while citizens must support efforts aimed at maintaining peace and sustainable security,” he said.
Representing the National President of the NUT, the union’s National Vice-President, Comrade Titilope Adebanjo, appealed to President Tinubu to treat the matter as a national emergency.
“Teachers are now in classrooms with fear, and students are learning under fear. This is not how education should be,” he said.
Ogun State NLC Chairman, Comrade Hameed Benco, warned that organised labour may consider stronger actions if urgent steps are not taken to secure the release of the victims.
Also speaking, Ogun State NUT Chairman, Comrade Sewakanu Oladipupo, described the situation as traumatic for teachers nationwide and called for stronger security measures to protect schools and communities.
The Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Ogun State, Comrade Adejoke Bello, expressed concern over the physical and psychological trauma being suffered by the abducted children and urged authorities to secure their release without delay.
The protest followed similar demonstrations held in Ibadan and other parts of the country, as pressure continues to mount on the Federal Government to rescue the victims and tackle the growing insecurity threatening schools and communities.
