Presidency Faults Makinde’s Call for UN Probe into Oyo School Abduction

The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the request as unnecessary and politically driven.

Makinde had made the appeal on Monday while formally receiving the 45 rescued teachers and pupils who regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding the abduction warranted an independent international investigation to establish the truth and ensure accountability.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.

Reacting to the governor’s position, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government had no objection to any international body examining the incident if necessary, but maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies had already provided sufficient explanations on the rescue operation.

He argued that the governor’s demand suggested a lack of confidence in the country’s security institutions, insisting that the military, the Department of State Services and other agencies had been transparent about the operation.

According to Onanuga, the rescue mission came at a heavy cost, with security personnel, including soldiers and members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, losing their lives during the operation.

He dismissed suggestions that security agencies deliberately prolonged the victims’ captivity, describing such claims as illogical, particularly considering the trauma suffered by the abducted children and the death of one of the teachers during the ordeal.

The presidential aide further accused Makinde, who has declared interest in the 2027 presidential election, of allowing political considerations to influence his call for an international investigation.

However, Makinde insisted that his demand was not intended to discredit Nigerian institutions but to reinforce public confidence through an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.

He said Nigerians deserved a transparent account of what transpired, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, stressing that those found culpable should be held accountable.

The governor also reminded the Federal Government that responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government under the Constitution, adding that the investigation was necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has assumed responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and continued education of the rescued teachers and pupils.

Makinde assured that the victims would receive medical care, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recover, adding that they would remain under medical observation before being reunited with their families.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for their roles in securing the release of the victims, describing the abduction as the first incident of its kind since he assumed office more than seven years ago.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, disclosed that the successful rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations involving the military, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun and local vigilantes.

He explained that the operation, which claimed the lives of two soldiers and left others injured, involved aerial surveillance, ground operations and intelligence gathering that eventually disrupted the abductors’ logistics network and forced them to release the victims unconditionally.

One of the rescued victims, the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro Esienle, Mrs Rachael Alamu, recounted the traumatic experience, revealing that the abductors killed a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, to intimidate security operatives and demonstrate their resolve.

She said the victims endured long treks through forests, travelled on motorcycles and bicycles along remote routes and lived in constant fear throughout their captivity, adding that returning to work in the rural community would be emotionally difficult.

The governor’s call for a UN backed investigation received support from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party, all of which said an independent inquiry would strengthen public confidence and ensure justice for the victims.

However, the Labour Party opposed the proposal, arguing that the investigation should remain within the jurisdiction of Nigeria’s security agencies to avoid undermining the country’s sovereignty.

Also on Monday, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, visited the rescued pupils and teachers, commending the military and other security agencies for their commitment to the rescue operation.

The monarch also donated cash to the victims and praised the collaborative efforts that led to their freedom.