The Senate has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and a toddler in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the attack as a brutal assault on the nation’s future and calling for the immediate rescue of all victims still in captivity.

The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative through improved surveillance, intelligence gathering and enhanced security around vulnerable schools and communities.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North), who drew attention to the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities, where 49 persons, including pupils, teachers and a toddler, were abducted by armed kidnappers.

Buhari told lawmakers that three people were killed during the incident, while a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly beheaded in captivity.

Following deliberations, the Senate sympathised with the affected families and the Oyo State Government and called on security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to secure the release of those still being held.

The Senate also acknowledged the recent visit of a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, alongside the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence and the Inspector-General of Police, to the affected communities.