The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the immediate strengthening of security measures across public and private educational institutions in the state following the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The resolution was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary after a motion was presented by the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West State Constituency II, Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi. He 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.
Presenting the motion, the lawmaker expressed concern over recent security breaches affecting schools, noting that such incidents have heightened fears about the safety of students, teachers, and educational facilities.
He observed that schools are increasingly becoming targets for criminal activities, including kidnapping, vandalism, cult-related violence, and other security threats. According to him, the growing insecurity poses a serious challenge to the education sector and could discourage parents and guardians from enrolling their children in public schools.
He stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and safeguard learning environments across the state.
The lawmaker further argued that the deployment of trained security personnel to schools, particularly those located in rural communities and areas bordering forests, would improve surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering, and ensure rapid responses to security threats.
He added that such measures would help restore confidence among parents and guardians while guaranteeing uninterrupted access to education for students.
The House commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his continued support for security agencies and his commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Lawmakers unanimously called on the Executive Arm of Government, through the Amotekun Corps, to commence the phased deployment of trained security personnel to public and private primary and secondary schools, with priority given to institutions located in rural areas, border communities, and locations adjoining forest reserves.
The Assembly also urged the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to collaborate with Amotekun and other security agencies in conducting comprehensive security audits of public schools across the state.
As part of broader efforts to improve safety in schools, the House recommended the establishment of a School Security Initiative that would provide dedicated security personnel, communication equipment, emergency alert systems, and other security infrastructure.
Lawmakers also advocated the development and enforcement of minimum security standards for public and private schools, including perimeter fencing, controlled access points, and adequate lighting.
In addition, the Assembly called for the establishment of emergency response and quick-reaction units in each education zone through collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Amotekun Corps.
The House further recommended the integration of security education and safety drills into school curricula to equip students with basic safety awareness and emergency response skills.
During deliberations, members noted that the current strength of approximately 2,500 Amotekun personnel may not be sufficient to provide adequate security coverage for 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, to complement the efforts of Amotekun and other security agencies in protecting schools and communities.
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