Oyo Lawmakers Reject Negotiating With Kidnappers Over Abducted Pupils

IBADAN — The Oyo State House of Assembly has rejected any form of negotiation with the kidnappers holding teachers and students abducted from Oriire Local Government Area in May. Punch Newspapers confirmed the lawmakers’ position on Wednesday. The assembly demanded immediate, intensified rescue operations.

Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said the House has no appetite for any engagement that would incentivise future abductions. He said paying ransoms or negotiating with kidnappers only emboldens criminal and terrorist actors to continue attacking schools and communities.

“We will not negotiate with terrorists. The government must use every lawful and effective means at its disposal to rescue our teachers and children. The option of negotiation is off the table,” Ogundoyin said at a House session on Wednesday.

Pressure on Makinde

The House’s rejection of negotiations increases pressure on Governor Seyi Makinde to demonstrate concrete results from security operations. Makinde has faced mounting calls for his resignation since the Oriire attack. Several of his own party members have publicly questioned his handling of the crisis.

Security agencies said rescue operations are ongoing. The army, DSS, and police are conducting coordinated operations in the forest corridors between Oyo, Kwara, and Osun states where the kidnappers are believed to be operating. However, specific details about progress are being withheld to protect the safety of the hostages.

Oyo State parents of abducted children expressed support for the House’s no-negotiation stance in principle. However, some privately said their primary concern is their children’s safety, not the precedent set by any rescue or negotiation method. They called on the government to do whatever is necessary to bring their children home alive.