The Senate has intensified pressure on the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the immediate release of students, pupils and teachers abducted during a recent attack on schools in Oyo State, while rejecting a proposal seeking a formal audit of military spending.
The upper chamber reached the decision after adopting a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who drew lawmakers’ attention to the alarming abduction of 46 individuals, including schoolchildren and teachers, in Oyo State.
The development comes amid growing public concern over worsening insecurity across the country, particularly incidents of kidnapping, banditry and attacks on educational institutions.
During deliberations on the motion, senators expressed deep concern over the safety of the victims and urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts to ensure their safe return.
While there was broad agreement on the need for urgent action, a proposal by Senator Adams Oshiomhole calling for a comprehensive review of military spending and security operations failed to gain the support required for adoption.
Oshiomhole argued that the National Assembly had a constitutional duty to evaluate the effectiveness of security funding and assess whether previous legislative resolutions on insecurity had produced meaningful results.
“It doesn’t appear to me that we have carried out an audit of resolutions passed in the past. What actions have been taken?” the former Edo State governor asked during the debate.
He maintained that lawmakers must go beyond approving budgets and ensure that funds allocated to the military and other security agencies are being properly utilised.
“If the armed forces are not accountable and if we don’t carry out oversight of military resources, then we are failing in our responsibility,” he said.
According to Oshiomhole, a detailed security audit would help determine whether resources appropriated for defence operations are being effectively deployed to combat criminal activities across the country.
“We need to carry out a security audit. We are entitled to get feedback on the monies appropriated. Until such an audit is conducted, we may not know whether the resources provided are being optimally deployed,” he argued.
Despite his concerns, the proposal failed to advance after no senator rose to second the motion, effectively ending consideration of the audit recommendation.
The debate nevertheless highlighted growing unease among lawmakers regarding the nation’s security situation and the effectiveness of efforts aimed at curbing violent crimes.
Several senators called on state governments to strengthen local security structures and work more closely with federal authorities to tackle emerging threats.
Others urged President Bola Tinubu to demand greater accountability from security chiefs and ensure that existing resources are yielding measurable results.
Lawmakers noted that despite substantial investments in defence and security over the years, kidnapping and bandit attacks continue to affect communities across several parts of the country.
Oshiomhole further referenced a previous case involving the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi State earlier in the year.
According to him, the state government had alleged that military personnel stationed in the area were withdrawn shortly before the attack occurred.
The senator recalled that the Senate subsequently passed a resolution directing military authorities to identify the officer responsible for the withdrawal order.
However, he lamented that no feedback had been received regarding the implementation of that directive.
“We passed a resolution asking the military to produce the name of the officer who gave the order. To date, no action has been taken,” he said.
Beyond the call for the release of the Oyo victims, senators also urged the Federal Government to reinforce measures designed to protect schools and vulnerable communities nationwide.
The Senate specifically called for the expansion and strengthening of the Safe Schools Initiative, a programme established to improve security around educational institutions.
The lawmakers recommended enhanced surveillance systems, stronger intelligence gathering mechanisms and increased deployment of security personnel to schools considered vulnerable to attacks.
The chamber stressed that protecting educational facilities must remain a national priority, warning that repeated attacks on schools threaten access to education and undermine public confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee safety.
The latest resolution underscored the Senate’s growing concern over the security challenges confronting the country and reflects renewed calls for decisive action to secure the release of abducted victims while preventing future attacks on schools and communities.
As rescue efforts continue, lawmakers said the safe return of the abducted students and teachers remains a matter of urgent national importance.
