‘Most barbaric act’ – Senate demands swift rescue of Oyo kidnapped victims

The Senate has urged the executive to intensify efforts and deploy all necessary resources for the immediate rescue of school children and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo.

The upper legislative chamber also called for an expansion of the Safe Schools Initiative, enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and improved security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities across the country.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion sponsored by Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo) during plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Buhari noted with grave concern that 49 persons comprising schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler were attacked and kidnapped by gunmen.

“Three victims were shot, one teacher brutally beheaded and 45 others remaining in captivity”.

He noted that the victims were abducted from a learning environment which ought to symbolise safety, hope and the future of our nation.

Buhari said: “This was a most barbaric act, which has struck fear into the people of the state and Nigerians at large.

“The incident has generated anxiety and public outrage while raising serious concerns about the security of schools and rural communities across the federation.

“When schools become hunting grounds for criminals, the future of the nation itself is imperilled,” he said.

Contributing, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), recalled the lack of accountability regarding the abduction of schoolchildren in a community in Kebbi where military personnel had reportedly been withdrawn shortly before the attack.

He recalled that military personnel stationed at the school were ordered to withdraw and about 40 minutes later, bandits invaded and abducted nearly 200 children.

The senator noted that the Senate had previously passed a resolution directing the military high command to disclose the identity of the officer responsible for the withdrawal order and explain what action had been taken against him.

“To the best of my knowledge, we have not received any response to that simple inquiry,” he said.

He stressed that if the armed forces are not held accountable and if the National Assembly fails to carry out proper oversight of resources appropriated for security, the country may continue to face worsening insecurity.