The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, describing the request as unnecessary and politically driven.
The reaction came on Monday after Makinde, during the formal reception of the rescued victims in Ibadan, urged the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the rescue operation. The governor said Nigerians deserved a full explanation of what happened, including whether there were failures, negligence or collusion by any institution or individual.
The pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities. They regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
Responding to the governor’s request, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government had no objection if any international organisation wanted to examine the incident. However, he maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies had already provided enough information on how the victims were rescued.
Onanuga questioned why Makinde appeared to doubt the country’s security institutions despite the sacrifices made during the operation. He noted that soldiers and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives while trying to rescue the abducted victims, insisting that no security agency would deliberately allow children and teachers to remain in captivity for such a long period.
He also accused the governor, who is seeking the presidency, of allowing politics to influence his position, adding that the demand for a UN investigation was unnecessary because the military and the Department of State Services had already explained their roles in the operation.
Makinde, however, maintained that his request was not intended to discredit Nigerian institutions. According to him, an independent investigation would help establish the facts, hold anyone responsible accountable and restore public confidence in the country’s security system.
The governor reminded the Federal Government that the Constitution places responsibility for national security on its shoulders. He said Nigerians deserved to know everything that led to the abduction and how the victims eventually regained their freedom. He also argued that the investigation would help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Makinde announced that the Oyo State Government had taken full responsibility for the welfare of the rescued pupils and teachers. He said they would receive medical care, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recovered from the experience.
He assured the teachers that discussions would be held with the management of the affected private school to ensure that their jobs and the education of the pupils were not disrupted. The governor added that the victims would remain under medical observation before being reunited with their families.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations involving the military, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun, local vigilantes and other security agencies.
He explained that security operatives tracked the kidnappers through forests, disrupted their supply routes and eventually forced them to release the victims after cutting off their major logistics base. He disclosed that two soldiers died during the operation, while others sustained injuries.
One of the rescued victims, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, described the experience as traumatic. She said the abductees trekked long distances through forests, travelled on motorcycles and bicycles and witnessed harsh treatment from the kidnappers.
Alamu revealed that the abductors killed the school’s mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, to frighten security operatives and convince the government that they would carry out their threats. She also admitted that returning to work in the rural community would be difficult after the ordeal.
Makinde’s call for an international investigation received backing from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Social Democratic Party and the Young Progressives Party. The parties said an independent probe could help uncover the truth, ensure justice for the victims and improve public confidence in efforts to tackle insecurity.
The Labour Party disagreed with the governor’s position. Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, argued that the investigation should remain within the jurisdiction of Nigeria’s security agencies. He said if Makinde possessed additional information beyond what had been made public, he should present it to Nigerians instead of seeking international involvement.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, also visited the rescued pupils and teachers. During the visit, he praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the victims’ freedom and donated money to support them during their recovery. He also commended traditional rulers for their support throughout the rescue process.