The Federal House of Representatives has resolved to fast track legislative action toward establishing State Police and a decentralised security system. This follows the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 16. The affected schools are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and L.A. Primary School. The House adopted a motion of urgent public importance calling for the immediate implementation of decentralised security structures, including State Police, Local Government policing units, and decentralised courts. Lawmakers also called for an integrated national intelligence and surveillance network.
The motion highlighted the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher who was beheaded by his abductors while in captivity. The House described the act as barbaric and reflective of escalating insecurity around the Old Oyo National Park axis. Alao-Akala, who presented the motion, stated that the forests near the park have become an ungoverned corridor linking Oyo State to Kwara State and international routes, enabling armed groups to operate with ease. He argued that the current centralised policing model, managed from Abuja, is inadequate for addressing localised security threats.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu's approval of 1,000 forest guards for the region, the House said more urgent and sustained action is required. It urged the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the release of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers without delay. A permanent military forward operating base in Orire Local Government Area was also recommended to strengthen security around the park and border corridors. The House committees on Defence, Interior, Police Affairs, and National Security are now tasked with monitoring the implementation of these resolutions and reporting back within 30 days.
The same lawmakers who have delayed security reforms for years now demand immediate action after a teacher was beheaded in Oyo. Their call for State Police comes only after attacks reached schools in a region tied to Alao-Akala's political base. The delay in structural response has cost lives that will not be recovered. The 30-day monitoring deadline offers no comfort to families still waiting for their children.
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