Lawmakers on Tuesday demanded swift action to free at least 72 abducted children and teachers held captive in Oyo and Borno states.
Members of the House of Representatives also pushed for urgent security reforms across Nigeria's education sector. They want schools protected and the government to tackle nationwide insecurity head-on.
Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala brought the first motion to the chamber during plenary.
Hon. Midala Usman Balami sponsored the second one.
Alao-Akala painted a grim picture of Ogbomoso and Orire areas in Oyo State. On May 16, 2025, gunmen abducted over 30 pupils and teachers from three schools.
Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota was hit. Community Grammar School in Esiele fell victim next.
L.A. Primary School also saw children taken away that same day.
The abductions have traumatised the communities.
One mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed in captivity. Gunmen beheaded him while he remained in their grip.
Alao-Akala told colleagues the Old Oyo National Park has become a criminal stronghold. Bandits and kidnappers operate freely across its vast forests.
These forest corridors stretch toward Kwara State and beyond. Kidnappers use the thick vegetation as cover for their operations.
The situation poses serious danger to communities across the South-West region. Residents live in constant fear of abduction.
Security agencies have made rescue attempts, he noted. Federal authorities have also approved 1,000 forest guards for deployment.
But Alao-Akala insisted these steps aren't enough. The government must act faster to bring captives home.
He called for a permanent military base in Orire Local Government Area. Forward operating bases would sustain long-term security operations there.
Lawmakers should dust off old recommendations on police reform, he argued. Nigeria needs state police forces and local government policing units.
Decentralised courts and an integrated surveillance network are also necessary. These measures would give communities better protection.
Balami raised the alarm about Borno State separately. Gunmen kidnapped 42 schoolchildren from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba.
He reminded colleagues of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction. Many of those girls were never found or brought home.
Ngoshe and other communities have faced repeated attacks. Families continue searching for missing relatives years later.
Schools have become soft targets for armed groups. Parents now fear sending children to classrooms.
Insecurity has caused school enrolment to drop sharply. Attendance rates have plummeted in vulnerable areas.
Families worry constantly about their children's safety. Many refuse to allow kids to attend school.
Lawmakers voted to adopt both motions unanimously. The House demanded immediate rescue operations across all states.
Security agencies must deploy more personnel to schools. Intelligence gathering must improve and response teams must act faster.
Representatives called for enhanced protection in Borno and other hotspots. The Federal Government must take decisive steps immediately.
