Oyo Assembly Rejects Negotiation With Bandits Over Abducted Students, Teachers

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday rejected calls for the state government to negotiate with bandits responsible for the abduction of teachers and students during the coordinated attack on communities in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area.

Instead, lawmakers called for intensified security operations to secure the release of the victims.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Johnson Ogundele, who represents the Oriire State Constituency.

The motion was debated during plenary shortly after the Assembly resumed from the Eid-el-Kabir recess.

Ogundele drew attention to the worsening security situation in parts of Oriire Local Government Area, particularly following the attack that occurred on May 15, 2026.

During deliberations, lawmakers expressed concern over the continued captivity of the abducted teachers and students and urged security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing them safely.

The Assembly maintained that negotiating with bandits would be counterproductive and could encourage further criminal activities.

Members instead advocated stronger security measures and sustained rescue operations to bring the victims home and restore confidence among residents of affected communities.

The attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area triggered widespread outrage after gunmen reportedly killed a teacher and abducted dozens of students and education workers.

Security agencies have since launched operations in forest areas believed to be harbouring the kidnappers.