Oyo Assembly Calls for Urgent Security Boost in Schools After Abductions

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the immediate strengthening of security in both public and private schools and educational institutions across the state. The move follows the recent abduction of students and teachers at Community High School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area.

The resolution came after a motion moved during Tuesday’s plenary by Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi, the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West State Constituency II. He urged the Executive Arm of Government to deploy operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to schools.

Oluwafowokanmi expressed concern that recent security breaches around schools, especially the incident in Oriire Local Government Area, had raised serious concerns about the safety of students, teachers, and educational facilities. He noted that public schools are increasingly becoming vulnerable targets for criminal activities, including kidnapping, vandalism, cult-related violence, and other forms of insecurity.

According to him, the prevailing insecurity challenges in the country, particularly the increasing vulnerability of schools to criminal activities, have become worrisome. He warned that growing threats to school safety could discourage parents and guardians from sending their children to public schools, questioning the hope for children of the less privileged and low-income earners whose only available means of education lies in public schools. He stressed the need for proactive security measures.