June 02, (THEWILL) — The House of Representatives on Tuesday erupted in outrage over the gruesome killing of Mr Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher who was allegedly beheaded by kidnappers after being abducted alongside students and other teachers, as lawmakers renewed calls for sweeping reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture, including the establishment of state police.
The lawmakers condemned the brutal killing during deliberations on two motions of urgent public importance addressing the worsening wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.
The House heard that beyond the abduction of 39 pupils and students as well as nine teachers in Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Local Government Areas of Oyo State, no fewer than 42 schoolchildren and others were also abducted in Mussa Ward, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Leading debate on the motion, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire Federal Constituency, described the security situation in his constituency as an unrelenting siege that had left residents living in fear.
He recalled that the attacks began with the invasion of the Old Oyo National Park in January 2025 and escalated dramatically on May 16, 2025, when armed bandits stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, abducting more than 30 children and teachers in broad daylight.
According to him, terrified parents watched helplessly as the victims were marched into the forest by the attackers.
“The House is deeply disturbed by the barbaric execution of Mr Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, who was beheaded in captivity by his abductors, a savage act that has shocked the conscience of our nation and demands an immediate and decisive response from every arm of government,” Alao-Akala stated.
He said that although security agencies had initiated rescue efforts, there was an urgent need for stronger and more sustainable interventions to stem the growing security crisis.
Alao-Akala called for accelerated implementation of the Federal Government’s plan to recruit 1,000 forest guards for the South-West zone, warning that the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forests had increasingly become operational bases and transit routes for criminal groups.
He argued that the vast forest corridors around Oyo and Kwara states have created dangerous security gaps now being exploited by armed groups.
The lawmaker further pushed for decentralisation of the nation’s security system through the establishment of state police, local government policing units, decentralised courts, and integrated intelligence structures.
“The House is convinced that every day we delay implementing that adopted resolution, we leave our people defenceless before an enemy that grows bolder, and that the same centralised, Abuja-commanded policing model that failed Michael Oyedokun will fail the next teacher, the next pupil, and the next family unless this House finds the courage to act now,” he said.
Following deliberations, the House directed the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at securing the immediate release of all victims still in captivity.
Lawmakers also called for the establishment of a permanent military Forward Operating Base in Oriire Local Government Area to strengthen security operations around the Old Oyo National Park and prevent the area from becoming a safe corridor for criminal activities into the South-West.
The House further mandated its Committees on Defence, Interior, Police Affairs, and National Security to jointly monitor implementation of the resolutions and submit a progress report within 30 days.
At the end of the proceedings, lawmakers observed a one-minute silence in honour of Oyedokun, other victims who lost their lives during the attacks, victims of kidnapping across the country, and security personnel who have died while protecting Nigerians.
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