The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the immediate strengthening of security across public and private schools in the state following the recent abduction of students and teachers at Community High School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area.
The resolution followed a motion moved during Tuesday’s plenary by the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West State Constituency II, Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi, who urged the Executive Arm of Government to deploy operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to schools across the state.
Speaking on the motion, Oluwafowokanmi expressed concern over growing security threats around educational institutions, noting that schools are increasingly becoming targets for criminal activities such as kidnapping, vandalism and cult-related violence.
He warned that the rising insecurity could discourage parents and guardians from sending their children to public schools, particularly in rural communities.
“What then will be the hope of children of the less privileged and low-income earners whose only available means of education lies in public schools? At this moment, we cannot afford to keep silent on the need to take proactive security measures that would prevent the recurrence of the Oriire school attack elsewhere in Oyo State,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that deploying trained security personnel to schools, especially those located in rural and forest-bordering communities, would improve surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure rapid response to security threats.
Following deliberations, the Assembly urged the state government, through the Amotekun Corps, to commence the phased deployment of security personnel to public and private primary and secondary schools, with priority attention given to vulnerable locations.
The House also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to collaborate with security agencies in conducting comprehensive security audits of schools across the state.
As part of broader efforts to safeguard educational institutions, lawmakers recommended the establishment of a School Security Initiative equipped with dedicated security personnel, communication gadgets, emergency alert systems and other security infrastructure.
The Assembly further advocated the development and enforcement of minimum security standards for schools, including perimeter fencing, controlled access points and adequate lighting.
Lawmakers also endorsed sustained public awareness campaigns under the “See Something, Say Something” initiative and called for the establishment of emergency response and quick-reaction units across education zones in collaboration with the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun Corps.
The House equally urged the integration of security education and safety drills into school curricula to improve students’ awareness and preparedness during emergencies.
During deliberations, members observed that the current strength of approximately 2,500 Amotekun personnel may be insufficient to effectively secure all schools across the state. Consequently, the Assembly recommended the recruitment and deployment of additional security personnel, including trained local hunters and community-based security operatives.
The lawmakers also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his continued support for security agencies and his commitment to the protection of lives and property across Oyo State.
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