Lawmakers at the senate
Senate on Tuesday strongly condemned the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, describing the incident as a disturbing attack on the nation’s conscience and a threat to the future of education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the resumption of plenary, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the kidnapping had cast a dark cloud over the country and underscored the urgent need to tackle worsening insecurity.
“We resume our work under the mournful shadow of a tragedy that has shaken our nation. The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State is not merely an attack on innocent citizens; it is an assault on our collective humanity,” the Senate president said.
Akpabio lamented the continued inability of authorities to fully guarantee the safety of pupils, teachers and educational institutions across the country, warning that persistent attacks on schools could undermine Nigeria’s future development.
He paid tribute to victims of the incident, including Michael Oyedokun, who reportedly died while in captivity, and Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the attack. He also mourned a child who lost his life in the tragic episode.
“Their loss is our loss. Their sorrow is our sorrow. Their pain is our pain,” he said.
The Senate president expressed optimism that the remaining victims still in captivity would regain their freedom through ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities. He subsequently led senators in observing a minute’s silence in honour of those who died.
As part of efforts to address the country’s growing security concerns, Akpabio directed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to schedule a date for the proposed national security summit aimed at finding lasting solutions to insecurity.
The Senate’s reaction follows the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and prompted teachers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike.
Meanwhile, Akpabio also addressed concerns arising from the recently concluded party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly among senators who failed to secure nominations.
He assured affected lawmakers that the Senate leadership was engaging relevant stakeholders to address issues resulting from the primary elections. His remarks come amid growing uncertainty over the political future of several serving senators who lost out in the nomination process.
The Senate president urged lawmakers to remain focused on their legislative responsibilities despite the political developments, stressing the need to prioritise national interest and the welfare of Nigerians.
