The Senate on Tuesday condemned the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, describing the incident as a painful reminder of the security challenges confronting the country.
Speaking during plenary, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the attack had plunged the nation into mourning and represented a direct assault on shared human values.
“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.
The Senate President noted that the incident underscored the need for stronger efforts to protect schools, children and educators, warning that persistent insecurity could have serious implications for the country’s future.
Akpabio paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the attack, including Michael Oyedokun, who reportedly died in captivity, Adesiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the assault, and a child victim.
“Their loss is our loss. Their sorrow is our sorrow. Their pain is our pain,” he said.
He expressed hope that ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities would lead to the safe release of those still in captivity and subsequently led senators in observing a minute’s silence in honour of the deceased victims.
As part of efforts to address the nation’s worsening security situation, Akpabio directed Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to fix a date for the proposed security summit.
The Senate’s position comes against the backdrop of growing concern over mass kidnappings across the country, including the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation, protests and an indefinite strike by teachers in the state.
Meanwhile, the Senate President also reassured lawmakers affected by the outcome of the recently concluded party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the leadership of the Senate is engaging stakeholders to address concerns arising from the exercise. His comments followed reports that several serving senators were unable to secure their parties’ nominations, raising questions about their political future ahead of the next election.