Retired Colonel Gbenga Adegbola, Oyo North senatorial aspirant and former Nigerian Army officer, has condemned the bandit attack on Ahoro Esinele Grammar School as a barbaric assault on education and the future of the district.
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The attack killed two teachers and led to the abduction of the school’s principal, several staff members and students.
It has sparked outrage across Oyo North among political leaders, parents, and civil society groups.
In a statement from his campaign office, Col. Adegbola described the assault as “the worst kind of cowardice” targeting the defenceless.
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“A school is a sanctuary,” he said. “When bandits invade a classroom, they do not just attack teachers — they declare war on the future of our children and the dignity of our communities. This must not stand.”
He expressed grief over the slain teachers and extended condolences to the family and colleagues.
“A teacher dedicates their life to building the next generation. To lose one to senseless violence is a wound felt by every family in Oyo North. I mourn with their loved ones, and I am angered that this happened on our watch.”
Call for Immediate Action
Drawing on 30 years of military experience, Adegbola urged federal, state, and local authorities to act without delay.
He called for a significant increase in security across rural communities, farming settlements, and schools, which have become easy targets.
“Government must rise to this moment. The people of Oyo North are not statistics.
They deserve real, visible, effective protection, not condolences after the fact,” he said.
He demanded a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Police, DSS, and the military to secure the release of the abducted staff.
“Every hour in captivity is an hour of trauma. The abductors must be found and made to face the full weight of the law.”
Security at the Core of His Agenda
Adegbola said that if elected, securing lives and property would be his top priority in the National Assembly.
“I have spent my adult life defending this nation in uniform. I carry that responsibility into politics. Farmers, teachers, traders, students, and mothers in Oyo North deserve to live without fear.
That is not a luxury. it is a right, and I will fight for it every day I serve in Abuja.”
He outlined key legislative commitments:
1. *Increase federal funding* for rural security infrastructure in Oyo North.
2. *Establish a dedicated security response unit* tailored to the district’s needs.
3. *Support stiffer penalties* for banditry, kidnapping, and attacks on schools.
4. *Invest in intelligence-led policing* and community liaison frameworks to enable safe reporting of suspicious activity.
Growing Support
Community leaders and education stakeholders have praised Adegbola’s stance, noting that his military background gives weight to his security proposals.
“We need representation that understands security as an operational reality, not just a campaign slogan,” said one community elder who requested anonymity.
As the search for the abducted principal and teachers continues, residents of Oyo North are calling for decisive government action. The attack has exposed the vulnerability of schools and rural communities in the district.
For Col. Adegbola, the tragedy has only strengthened his resolve.
“This is why I entered politics,” he said.
Col. Adegbola’s Key Demands
▸ Immediate deployment of security forces to the Oyo State schools and surrounding communities
▸ Safe release of the abducted principal and teachers
▸ Swift investigation and prosecution of all perpetrators
▸ Comprehensive review of security in Oyo North and Oyo State schools at large.
▸ Creation of a dedicated rural security response unit for the senatorial districts.
