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Fresh waves of school abductions in Borno State and Oyo State have triggered renewed urgency in the National Assembly, with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele declaring that the worsening insecurity has strengthened lawmakers’ resolve to fast-track constitutional amendments for the establishment of state police across Nigeria.
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, described the attacks on schools as a grave assault on the nation’s future, warning that continued attacks on students and teachers posed a direct threat to education, national stability and development.
The Senate Leader’s position followed the abduction of dozens of students and teachers in coordinated attacks on schools in both states. Armed men reportedly stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday, abducting 45 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. Within the same period, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 students.
In a statement issued through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Bamidele disclosed that the 10th National Assembly had reached an advanced stage in the constitutional amendment process aimed at creating state police formations. According to him, lawmakers would conclude legislative work on the proposal once plenary resumes on June 2 before transmitting it to state Houses of Assembly for ratification in line with constitutional requirements.
He appealed to governors and lawmakers across the federation to treat the state police initiative as a national security necessity rather than a partisan issue, stressing that Nigeria’s current security architecture required urgent restructuring to tackle terrorism, kidnapping and violent crimes effectively.
Bamidele also called for intensified implementation of the Safe School Initiative by federal and state governments pending the establishment of state police, lamenting that persistent attacks on educational institutions were worsening Nigeria’s already alarming out-of-school children crisis, estimated at over 18 million.
The Senate Leader further revealed that the National Assembly would strengthen existing anti-terror laws, including proposed amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, to improve accountability and enhance deterrence against terrorism and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere expressed outrage over the invasion of schools in Oyo State and rising violent attacks across the South-West. In a statement by its factional National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group warned that the growing wave of kidnappings and attacks in Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo and Kwara states suggested an expanding security threat across the region.
The organisation noted recent incidents including the abduction of a family in Ijebu Ode, the disruption of a ransom collection operation in Oyo State, attacks on worshippers during a church crusade in Ekiti State, and deadly raids on communities in Kwara State where scores were reportedly killed or abducted. Afenifere leader Reuben Fasoranti was said to be deeply saddened by the latest school attacks, which occurred during the week of his 100th birthday celebration.
As fears mounted over renewed insecurity in the North-East, Babagana Zulum pledged immediate humanitarian intervention and long-term resettlement support for thousands of displaced residents in Monguno and surrounding communities affected by fresh insurgent attacks.
During a visit to internally displaced persons camps in Monguno, Zulum assured affected residents that the Borno State Government, in collaboration with the military, would provide urgent relief materials, improve shelter, sanitation and water facilities, and implement sustainable resettlement plans for displaced families.
The governor disclosed that more than 50,000 returnees were currently in Marte Local Government Area and reiterated his administration’s commitment to rebuilding liberated communities and restoring livelihoods despite recurring attacks in northern Borno communities around Marte, Monguno, Guzamala and Abadam.
In a related development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered the deployment of additional tactical and intelligence assets to Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and adjoining forests to reinforce ongoing rescue operations.
According to Force Public Relations Officer Anthony Placid, the police chief personally visited Oyo State, where he met security stakeholders and received operational briefings on efforts to rescue the abducted victims. He assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies had intensified coordinated search-and-rescue operations and vowed that perpetrators of the attacks would be brought to justice.
The worsening security situation also prompted a fresh advisory from the United States Mission in Nigeria. The mission urged American citizens in the country to heighten personal security awareness and avoid unnecessary travel following a joint U.S.-Nigeria military operation on May 16 that reportedly killed notorious terrorist commander Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in the Lake Chad Basin.
The U.S. Mission advised its citizens to remain vigilant in public places, avoid predictable routines, monitor local developments and maintain emergency preparedness, even as the embassy and consulate in Nigeria remained open for normal operations.
U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly described al-Minuki as ISIS’ second-in-command globally and one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, saying his death marked a significant blow to extremist operations in the region.
The latest incidents have once again thrown Nigeria’s security crisis into sharp focus, intensifying calls for urgent reforms as attacks on schools, communities and civilians continue to spread across different parts of the country.
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