Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, has revealed how armed abductors transported lots of abducted schoolchildren, instructors and toddlers into the forest following the May 15 attack on communities in Orire City government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking throughout plenary at the Senate, Buhari recounted the scenarios surrounding the abduction of 49 persons from Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele neighborhoods, explaining the operation as both frightening and highly coordinated.
According to the lawmaker, the abductors connected several kids together and conveyed them on bikes into the forest while greatly armed men protected them.
“When they were taking the kids away, six, seven or eight kids would be tied together on a motorcycle. Someone would be in front of the bike, while another equipped with a machine gun would sit behind them. They were even taping videos of the operation,” Buhari informed lawmakers.
The senator raised the alarm through a motion on the floor of the Senate, accentuating the predicament of the abducted victims and the worsening security scenario in parts of Oyo State.
He informed the chamber that the abductees consisted of schoolchildren, teachers and young children, including that the attack had left several households ravaged. Buhari kept in mind that three victims were eliminated during the incident, consisting of someone who was supposedly beheaded, while many others remain in captivity.
Explaining the attack as an attack on education and neighborhood safety, the senator stated schools should be locations of hope and learning instead of targets for criminal activities.
The Senate subsequently got in touch with the Federal Government to reinforce and broaden the Safe School Initiative through enhanced intelligence gathering, monitoring and enhanced security deployment around vulnerable schools and neighborhoods nationwide.
Buhari likewise divulged that another kidnapping event was reported in Ibadan on Wednesday, where three kids and their mother were presumably abducted by gunmen.
Following deliberations, the Senate observed a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives throughout the attack and sympathized with the affected families, communities and the Oyo State Government.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while commanding the session, assured Nigerians that security agencies would continue efforts to fight criminal aspects and restore security across the nation.