Lawmakers demand probe of security funds as Senate condemns Oyo abduction

…Don’t politicise Oyo abduction, Buhari pleads

The Senate on Wednesday demanded a comprehensive probe into the utilisation of funds appropriated to security agencies, as lawmakers expressed frustration over persistent insecurity despite years of increasing budgetary allocations to the defence and security sector.

The call came during deliberations on the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Senators argued that beyond condemning attacks, the National Assembly must intensify oversight of security spending and hold relevant authorities accountable for resources committed to tackling insecurity.

The Senate subsequently condemned the abduction, describing it as a barbaric assault on the nation’s future. It urged security agencies to secure the immediate release of those still in captivity and called on the Federal Government to strengthen and expand the Safe Schools Initiative through enhanced surveillance, intelligence gathering and improved security deployment around vulnerable schools and communities.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo Central), who drew attention to the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele and adjoining communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

Presenting the motion, Buhari said 49 people, including schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler, were abducted during the attack. He added that three persons were killed, including a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was allegedly beheaded by the attackers, while dozens remain in captivity.

Buhari lamented that the victims were taken from what should have been a safe learning environment, warning that attacks on schools threaten the future of the nation. He also informed the Senate that kidnappers struck again in Oyo State on Wednesday morning, abducting three children and their mother in Ibadan.

Following deliberations, the Senate sympathised with affected families and the Oyo State Government and urged security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to rescue those still being held.

However, contributions by lawmakers quickly shifted to concerns over the effectiveness of security spending and the need for greater accountability.

Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that despite huge allocations to the military and other security institutions, insecurity persisted across the country. He said the Senate could no longer be satisfied with merely condemning attacks after they occur.

According to him, the National Assembly must assess the impact of previous resolutions on insecurity and determine whether agencies acted on directives issued by lawmakers. He recalled a previous school abduction in Kebbi State and noted that the Senate had requested information on the withdrawal of military personnel before the attack but had yet to receive a response.

Oshiomhole called for a comprehensive audit of security resources, insisting that the armed forces and security agencies must be accountable for funds appropriated to them.

“We need to carry out a security audit. Money appropriated, who got what, how was it used?” he said.

Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) backed calls for greater scrutiny of security spending, saying the National Assembly had consistently approved substantial allocations to the defence sector without corresponding improvements in security outcomes.

Drawing comparisons with oversight practices in other countries, Musa said service chiefs should account for resources appropriated to their agencies by the legislature. He questioned recurring complaints about inadequate equipment and allowances despite record defence budgets.

“Where is the money going to?” he asked.

He argued that effective security and expenditure were closely linked and said lawmakers must determine whether resources allocated to the sector were producing expected results.

Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) also called for greater involvement of state governments in security funding and operations. He stressed the need to address ungoverned spaces across the country and urged state governments to allow local governments to function effectively in supporting grassroots security efforts.

Speaking with journalists after the plenary, Buhari appealed to Nigerians not to politicise the Oyo abduction, stressing that security agencies were handling rescue efforts carefully because of the large number of children involved.

He disclosed that 46 children and four teachers were affected by the attack. According to him, one teacher was beheaded, while another was killed while attempting to escape. He also said a commercial motorcyclist was shot dead after being mistaken for someone pursuing the attackers.

Buhari described the emotional trauma suffered by families, recounting how one man whose wife and four children were abducted became so devastated that he contemplated taking his own life.

He also painted a grim picture of the situation in the affected communities, revealing that residents fled in the aftermath of the attack, making it difficult for even elected representatives to visit the area during the first few days.

The lawmaker further recounted reports that several abducted children were tied together and forced to trek while the kidnappers recorded videos of them.

Defending the cautious approach adopted by security agencies, Buhari said any aggressive rescue operation could endanger the lives of the children, some of whom are as young as two years old.

“Every decision must take their safety into account,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to avoid turning the tragedy into a political contest, insisting that the focus should remain on rescuing the victims and ensuring the safety of schools and communities.

“We are talking about human lives. There are children as young as two years old involved in this tragedy. It is not something that should be politicised,” Buhari said.