The abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests across several states, condemnation from the National Assembly, and renewed calls for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s security system.
The incident, which occurred on May 15, saw armed men invade three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities, abducting pupils and teachers and leaving families in distress. The attack has revived painful memories of previous school kidnappings in Chibok and Dapchi, raising fresh concerns about the safety of schools across the country.
As the Senate resumed plenary after the Sallah break on Tuesday, lawmakers observed a minute of silence in honour of two teachers and a pupil who lost their lives during the attack.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the incident as a tragedy that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s future.
According to him, the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers is not only an attack on innocent citizens but also an assault on the nation’s collective humanity.
He paid tribute to mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, who reportedly died in captivity, teacher Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the attack, and a pupil who also lost their life.
Akpabio urged politicians not to exploit the tragedy for political gain, stressing that insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the immediate release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states. Lawmakers also demanded the implementation of a comprehensive Safe Schools Security Framework to protect educational institutions nationwide.
Speaking during plenary, members expressed concern that repeated attacks on schools were threatening access to education, traumatising families, and weakening public confidence in government’s ability to guarantee security.
The House also renewed calls for state police, with lawmakers arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen local security efforts and improve response to criminal activities in vulnerable communities.
The incident has also triggered coordinated nationwide protests by teachers under the Nigeria Union of Teachers.
Demonstrations were held in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Benue, Adamawa, Niger, Kano and several other states, where teachers demanded the immediate rescue of their abducted colleagues and pupils.
Carrying placards with messages such as “Set Our Teachers and Pupils Free” and “The Classroom Must Not Become a Battlefield,” protesters called on the government to prioritise school security and tackle the worsening insecurity across the country.
In Abuja, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike assured teachers that security agencies were working to secure the release of the victims and urged Nigerians not to politicise the situation.
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Similarly, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde appealed for unity and patience, saying security forces and intelligence agencies were actively working to rescue those still in captivity.
He stressed that insecurity should not become a tool for political blame, noting that the focus should remain on bringing the victims home safely.
The crisis has heightened fears about the safety of educational institutions nationwide. Between May 13 and May 15 alone, at least 82 pupils were reportedly abducted in separate attacks across Oyo and Borno states.
Private school proprietors, labour unions, civil society organisations and education stakeholders have continued to mount pressure on the government, insisting that schools must remain safe spaces for learning.
As concerns grow, the Nigeria Police Trust Fund has urged the Senate to increase its statutory allocation to support the deployment of modern security technology, including drones, surveillance systems, forensic laboratories and intelligence tools aimed at combating kidnapping, terrorism and organised crime.
For many Nigerians, the latest abductions have once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger security measures to protect schools, teachers and pupils from the growing threat of criminal attacks.
