The Oyo State House of Assembly is standing firm against any deal with terrorists holding schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin laid it out plainly during plenary: the kidnappers are not just asking for cash. They want weapons, huge sums of money, and even concessions that could rewrite parts of our laws.
Many families in Ogbomoso and across Oyo are still waiting for their loved ones to come home after the May 15 attack on schools in Esiele and Yawota communities. The Speaker’s words have sparked fresh debate on how far any government should go to free victims without making the problem worse.
Hon. Johnson Ogundele, who represents Oriire, moved the urgent motion that brought the matter to the floor. He painted a grim picture of bandits storming schools in broad daylight, killing a teacher, a student and an okada rider before carting away dozens of pupils and teachers.
The House listened in silence as lawmakers described how insecurity has worsened in the area since the start of the year, with earlier attacks on forest guards and communities. Yet the Speaker drew a clear line. Negotiating, he said, would only embolden the criminals and invite more trouble. “The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them,” Ogundoyin warned, urging everyone to back ongoing rescue efforts instead.
Lawmakers rejected outright any suggestion that the state government should sit down with the terrorists. The Speaker told his colleagues the demands go far beyond ordinary ransom. Giving in, he argued, would hand the bandits tools to strike again and even meddle in governance. Several members echoed the same concern.
Majority Leader Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin used the moment to push harder for state police, pointing out that federal forces sometimes struggle in thick forests while local Amotekun operatives know the terrain. Others called for more military bases, better-equipped security, and urgent audits of schools near forests.
The House passed resolutions asking the Federal Government to fast-track state police creation and set up a permanent military presence in Oriire. They also directed the education ministry to install lights, fences and CCTV in vulnerable schools and asked OYSEMA to support affected families with counselling and relief. Speaker Ogundoyin appealed for calm. He acknowledged the pain of waiting families but insisted the focus must stay on intelligence, sustained operations and safe rescues.
News of the abduction has triggered protests in Ibadan, Lagos and Ogbomoso. Teachers have stayed away from classes, roads have been blocked, and social media is full of desperate voices asking when Nigeria will finally secure its schools. The Assembly’s stance reflects what many ordinary people in Oyo are saying: enough is enough. Governor Seyi Makinde has already visited the area and deployed more operatives, but lawmakers want quicker, lasting solutions.
As the rescue operation continues, the Oyo State House of Assembly has sent a strong message. No weapons for terrorists. No policy giveaways. Just intensified pressure until every child and teacher comes home safely. Oyo people are watching closely, hoping this firm position brings results before more lives are lost.
