News reports that the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the condemnation in a statement issued on Sunday through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

Bamidele expressed deep concern over the renewed wave of attacks on schools despite previous security interventions and international support aimed at safeguarding educational institutions across the country.

He noted that the latest kidnappings were particularly alarming, recalling that about $30 million was raised globally in 2014 to strengthen security in both public and private schools following earlier mass abduction incidents.

Reports indicate that on Friday, suspected gunmen abducted 45 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

On the same day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents reportedly attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 students.

The twin incidents have heightened concerns over the safety of schools, particularly in rural communities vulnerable to bandit attacks and insurgency.

Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the situation further underscored the urgency of establishing state police across Nigeria.

He disclosed that the proposal for state police is already at an advanced stage within the ongoing constitutional amendment process at the National Assembly.

According to him, lawmakers are working to conclude the process before forwarding it to state Houses of Assembly for ratification.

“One of such initiatives is the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution that seeks to establish state police, which is now at an advanced stage,” he said.

He explained that the proposal would require approval from at least two-thirds of state legislatures before it can be implemented nationwide.

Bamidele urged sub-national governments and lawmakers to treat the initiative as a national priority rather than allow it to be politicised along ethnic, regional, or religious lines.

He also called on political leaders to support the move in the interest of national security.

Pending the creation of state police, the Senate Leader urged both federal and state governments to urgently strengthen the Safe School Initiative as an interim measure to protect students, teachers, and school infrastructure.

He lamented that rising insecurity and repeated school attacks were worsening Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, estimated at about 18.3 million.

Describing the abductions as a “tragic national concern,” he said they undermine the country’s development progress and human capital growth.

Bamidele added that the 10th National Assembly would intensify legislative actions on insecurity when plenary resumes on June 2.

He further revealed that lawmakers are considering amendments to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 to strengthen the justice system and ensure tougher penalties for violent crimes nationwide.