Senate has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts and deploy all necessary resources for the immediate rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, representing Oyo North Senatorial District.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Senator Buhari expressed deep concern over the abduction of 49 persons, including schoolchildren, teachers, and a toddler.
He noted that three of the victims were reportedly killed, one teacher was beheaded, while the remaining 45 victims are still being held captive. He warned that if learning environments become hunting grounds for kidnappers, the future of the nation would be at risk.
According to him, “If schools become hunting grounds for criminals, the future of the nation itself is in danger.”
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Senate President, who presided over the session, called for greater collaboration among all stakeholders in addressing insecurity across the country.
He stated that the challenge of insecurity should not be left to one arm of government alone, stressing the need for cooperation among the legislature, executive, security agencies, and the public to end criminal activities.
The Senate condemned the abduction in strong terms and called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, improved intelligence gathering, and increased security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities nationwide.
Cov/Bashir M
