By OLUWASEYI ODUNEYE-OGUNWOMOJU

The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday called on relevant authorities to intensify efforts to rescue victims of the Oriire Local Government Area abduction.

The lawmakers, during the plenary, also rejected suggestions and calls in some quarters urging the state government to negotiate with the terrorists.

The Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, firmly dismissed calls for the state government to negotiate with terrorists and kidnappers.

He warned that such a move could embolden criminal elements, encourage further attacks, send the wrong signal and potentially strengthen criminal networks in the state.

He acknowledged the frustration, anxiety and impatience of families whose loved ones remained in captivity, but called for continued support of rescue efforts by security agencies and the state government.

He said that the focus should remain on sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and coordinated rescue missions aimed at securing the safe release of all victims.

The Speaker reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to supporting measures that would strengthen security across Oyo State and prevent a recurrence of attacks on schools and communities.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency, Mr Johnson Ogundele, had earlier moved a motion of urgent public importance over insecurity challenges in his constituency.

The motion is titled: “Urgent Need for the Executive Arm of Government Through Its Security Architecture to Proactively Nip in the Bud the Spike and Recurring Bandit Attacks on Oriire Communities”.

Ogundele expressed concern over the recurring attacks in the area, noting that Oriire had witnessed increasing bandit activities since January 2026

He said that the attacks included the killing of five forest guards of the National Park Service office at Oloka Village.

He commended Gov. Seyi Makinde for his swift response in deploying security operatives, rescue efforts and a personal visit to the affected communities.

He, however, urged the state government to intensify support for security agencies and establish a permanent military base within and around vulnerable communities and forest corridors in the area.

Ogundele also called for immediate security audits of schools located near forests and border settlements across the state.

He charged the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) with the auditing of such schools.

Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanjo Adedoyin, representing Ogbomoso South, called for the establishment of state police.

Adedoyin urged the Federal Government (FG) to remove all obstacles delaying its creation.

He said that the recent rescue operations exposed the challenges conventional security agencies faced while navigating dense forests.

He said that due to the difficult terrain, security operatives were forced to rely heavily on local vigilantes and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps.

He argued that the security realities confronting states have further justified the need for state police and urged the FG to expedite action on the initiative.

Mrs Olubisi Oluranti, representing Ogbomoso North, commended the efforts of the governor and security agencies but called for increased deployment of personnel to vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.

Mr Gbenga Oyekola, representing Atiba, blamed part of the security challenges on poor management of the expansive forest reserve owned and maintained by the FG.

He lamented that despite the vast forest stretching across several parts of Oyo State and neighbouring states, security presence within the reserve remained inadequate.

Oyekola expressed concern over reports of illegal mining activities in parts of the forest, including the sightings of helicopters landing and departing from the area.

He stressed the need for adequate security measures to protect residents and legitimate operators.

Mr Babajide Gabriel, representing Ibadan North II, called for far-reaching structural reforms of the nation’s security architecture.

He recalled Makinde’s previous concerns about the limitations of governors, who, though constitutionally regarded as Chief Security Officers of their states, yet lack direct control over security agencies.

Gabriel appealed to the governor to recruit more personnel into the Amotekun Corps to strengthen local security operations.

He condemned attempts by some individuals to politicise the insecurity situation in the state for partisan gains.

Mr Dawood Olalere, representing Ibadan North-West, observed that kidnapping had evolved beyond forest-based criminality and was increasingly affecting urban and semi-urban communities.

He cited the reported abduction of Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s sister with her two sons as evidence of the widening threat posed by kidnappers.

Olalere called for better equipment and improved weaponry for Amotekun operatives, arguing that personnel armed with locally fabricated weapons could not effectively confront heavily armed criminal gangs.

NAN recalls that the kidnap incident of the former Minister of Power’s sister and two twin sons occurred in Ibadan on Wednesday morning. (NAN)

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