By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations to probe the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15.
The governor made the call in a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and their teachers in his office in Ibadan on Monday, July 13.
Makinde said the probe was necessary given the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping of the students and teachers and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The governor’s call for international organisations’ probe into the incident comes days after he alleged that the kidnap was not unconnected to his presidential ambition, noting that the incident occurred just hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
While addressing a meeting with Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi, the governor recalled that Oyo had not recorded a similar incident during his seven years in office before the May 15 attack.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.
“I, therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the executive governor of Oyo State, call on the appropriate international human rights organisations and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and the circumstances of its resolution.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence, that truth be established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, would be held accountable,” Makinde said during Monday’s broadcast.
The governor said the responsibility for national security rests with the federal government and the security agencies under its control, in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
He said Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of the incident, including who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and the steps being taken to prevent a reoccurrence.
“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear.
“To every parent across Oyo State, let me assure you that your government has heard your fears and will not relent until every lawful step has been taken to make our schools and communities safer for our children.
“As the government of Oyo State, we will continue to support every lawful effort that strengthens our security architecture, protects our people, and brings every person responsible for this tragedy to justice,” the governor added.
Recall that the students and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire LGA of the state were rescued on Friday, July 10, 56 days after their abduction, during a joint operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police, backed by intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement announcing the rescue, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, quoted President Bola Tinubu as commending security agencies “for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.”
The president also commended the Oyo State government for working closely with the federal government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” Onanuga quoted Tinubu as saying in a statement.
