Lawmakers urge deployment of Amotekun, police and other security operatives to schools, especially in rural and forest-border communities.
The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the immediate strengthening of security in public and private schools across the state following the recent abduction of students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Hon. Oluwafemi Oluwafowokanmi, representing Ibadan South West Constituency II, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Raising concerns over the growing insecurity around educational institutions, the lawmaker urged the state 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.
Oluwafowokanmi warned that schools have increasingly become targets of kidnapping, vandalism and other criminal activities, stressing that the trend could discourage parents from enrolling their children in public schools.
The Assembly subsequently directed that trained security personnel be deployed in phases to schools, with priority given to rural communities, border areas and locations close to forest reserves.
Lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to collaborate with security agencies in conducting comprehensive security audits of schools.
The House further recommended the establishment of a School Security Initiative that would provide dedicated security personnel, emergency alert systems, communication gadgets and other security infrastructure for educational institutions.
In addition, the lawmakers advocated the enforcement of minimum security standards for schools, including perimeter fencing, controlled access points and adequate lighting.
The Assembly also urged the government to intensify the “See Something, Say Something” campaign and establish emergency response units across education zones to ensure swift action during security threats.
Members, however, noted that the current strength of the Amotekun Corps may be insufficient to effectively secure all schools in the state and therefore recommended the recruitment of additional security personnel, including trained local hunters and community-based operatives.
The House commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his continued support for security agencies and efforts to safeguard lives and property across Oyo State.