The Senate on Wednesday condemned in strong terms the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as a horrifying assault on Nigeria’s collective conscience and a direct threat to the nation’s future.
Lawmakers called for the immediate rescue of all victims still in captivity and urged the Federal Government to urgently strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative through improved surveillance, intelligence-led operations and enhanced security deployment around vulnerable communities.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo Central), who raised alarm over the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele and adjoining communities in Oriire LGA.
According to Buhari, 49 persons—including pupils, teachers and a toddler—were abducted when armed attackers stormed the area. He also disclosed that three people were killed, while one teacher was beheaded in what he described as a gruesome and calculated act of terror.
Presenting the motion, Buhari said the victims were taken from a place that should represent safety and hope.

“The victims were abducted from a learning environment which ought to symbolise safety, hope and the future of our nation,” he said.
He expressed particular anguish over the abduction of a toddler, describing it as a chilling reminder of the cruelty of the attackers and the vulnerability of rural communities.
The senator also recounted the killing of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, who was reportedly beheaded by the assailants, an act he said was recorded and circulated.

“Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher, was beheaded in a gruesome manner and recorded for public viewing. This barbaric act has struck fear into the people of the state and Nigerians at large,” Buhari said.
He warned that the attack had deepened fear across Oyo State and renewed national concern over the safety of schools, particularly in rural areas where security presence remains thin.
Buhari further informed the Senate that another attack occurred in Oyo State on Wednesday morning, with three children and their mother abducted in Ibadan, underscoring what he described as a worsening security situation.

Following debate, the Senate condemned the incident, sympathised with affected families and the Oyo State Government, and urged security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of the victims.
In his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) called for a full audit of security spending, arguing that persistent insecurity despite heavy budgetary allocations raises serious accountability concerns.
He urged the Senate to intensify oversight by summoning service chiefs to explain how security funds are being utilised.

Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) called for deeper collaboration between federal, state and local governments in addressing insecurity, stressing that many communities remain exposed due to weak local security structures.
According to him, increased allocations to states must translate into stronger grassroots security presence, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Speaking with journalists after plenary, Senator Buhari painted a harrowing picture of the attack and its aftermath, saying entire communities were thrown into panic and displacement.

He said 46 children and four teachers were among those abducted, adding that one teacher was killed while another commercial motorcyclist was wrongly caught in the violence.
“Another teacher tried to escape through a window but was shot dead. An Okada rider passing between two communities was also killed after being mistaken for part of the attack,” he said.
Buhari also described the emotional devastation faced by families, including one man whose wife and four children were abducted.

“The man was so devastated that he contemplated suicide. I had to tell him that if he did, and they eventually returned, there would be no one waiting for them at home,” he said.
He said fear forced many residents to flee the community immediately after the attack, leaving entire settlements deserted.
According to him, security agencies are proceeding cautiously due to the presence of very young children among the abductees.

“There are children as young as two, three and four years old involved. Any action must prioritise their safety,” he explained.
The senator urged Nigerians to avoid politicising the tragedy and to allow security agencies to carry out rescue operations without pressure or interference, warning that operational details must remain confidential.
He stressed that the priority remains the safe return of all victims.

 “This is not politics. These are human lives. Their only offence was going to school that morning,” Buhari said.
The Senate reaffirmed its resolve to monitor the situation and support all efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted victims.