The Senate on Thursday heard from Senator Buhari disturbing details of how armed kidnappers abducted dozens of schoolchildren, teachers and toddlers from communities in Oyo State, with a lawmaker revealing that the victims were tied together and transported into the forest on motorcycles under heavy armed guard.
The revelation was made by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District, during plenary as he raised a motion on the worsening security situation in parts of Oyo State.
According to the senator, the attack occurred on May 15 in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities in Orire Local Government Area, where 49 persons, including schoolchildren, teachers and toddlers, were reportedly abducted by heavily armed gunmen.
Buhari described the operation as highly coordinated and terrifying, noting that the kidnappers tied multiple children together before taking them into the forest.
“When they were taking the children away, six, seven or eight children would be tied together on a motorcycle.
One person would be in front of the motorcycle, while another armed with a machine gun would sit behind them.
They were even recording videos of the operation,” the senator told lawmakers.
The lawmaker said the attack had left many families devastated and communities living in fear, stressing that educational institutions should remain safe havens for learning rather than targets for criminal elements.
He further disclosed that three victims lost their lives during the attack, including one person who was reportedly beheaded, while several others remain in captivity.
Buhari urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the release of those still being held by the kidnappers and to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities.
The senator also informed the Senate of another reported kidnapping incident in Ibadan on Wednesday, where gunmen allegedly abducted a woman and her three children, underscoring growing concerns over insecurity in the state.
Following deliberations on the motion, the Senate called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe School Initiative through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance systems and increased security deployment around schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
Lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives during the attack and extended condolences to the affected families, communities and the Oyo State Government.
Presiding over the session, Senate President assured Nigerians that security agencies remained committed to tackling criminal activities and restoring safety across the country.
The latest development has once again brought national attention to the growing threat of kidnapping and attacks on schools, with stakeholders calling for urgent and decisive action to protect children, teachers and communities from criminal violence.
