Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has condemned the abduction of pupils, students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as disturbing, tragic and unacceptable.
Abbas, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, called for a coordinated and speedy rescue operation to secure the safe return of all victims still in captivity.
Gunmen had reportedly stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, abducting scores of pupils, students and teachers during the attack.
Reacting to the incident, the Speaker urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims unharmed and ensure those behind the attack are arrested and prosecuted.
He also commended the swift response of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, including his on-the-spot assessment and deployment of security personnel to support ongoing rescue operations.
Abbas, however, stressed the need for urgency and precision in handling the operation, insisting that the safety of the abducted victims must remain the top priority.
According to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He added that one person was killed during the attack.
The situation worsened following reports that one of the victims, a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly killed by the abductors.
Describing the attack on schools as heartbreaking, Abbas said the development was coming at a time Nigeria was battling a growing out-of-school children crisis.
“It is more unfortunate that schools are being attacked at a time when the country is struggling to enroll its massive out-of-school children population,” he said.
The Speaker noted that schools should remain among the safest places in society and called for tighter security around educational institutions and other vulnerable public facilities across the country.
He also sympathised with families of the victims and prayed for the safe return of those still in captivity, insisting that the kidnappers must face the full weight of the law.
