Oyo Abduction: Row Over Makinde’s Call for UN Probe

Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an investigation by the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) Area of Oyo State on May 15, has sparked controversy. He made the call in a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and their teachers […]

Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an investigation by the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) Area of Oyo State on May 15, has sparked controversy.

He made the call in a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and their teachers in his office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

Makinde said the “circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.”

He said: “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, ensure that the truth is established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, is held accountable.”

The governor said 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 recurrence.

However, his position attracted criticism from the Presidency, the Senate, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.

The Presidency described the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in an interview that the federal government had no objection to an international investigation if Makinde believed there were unresolved issues.

“The governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” Onanuga said.

He, however, questioned the rationale behind the governor’s demand, arguing that no security agency would deliberately allow schoolchildren to remain in captivity for 56 days.

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

He also noted that one of the abducted teachers was killed while in captivity, insisting it was “unthinkable” that anyone would deliberately orchestrate such an ordeal.

On Tuesday, the Senate asked Makinde to withdraw his demand for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso.

The resolution followed the adoption of a prayer by the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, during debate on a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies for rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity.

The substantive motion was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by 108 senators.

Oshiomhole described Makinde’s demand for a UN investigation as “not statesmanly and politics taken too far.”

The former Edo State governor urged the Senate to call on Makinde to desist from “trivialising” the rescue operation by seeking an international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.

The senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Aniekan Bassey, seconded Oshiomhole’s motion.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, put Oshiomhole’s additional prayer to a voice vote.

The initial voice vote was inconclusive before Jibrin called for another vote, after which the “ayes” prevailed.

The Senate subsequently adopted the additional prayer alongside the substantive motion commending Tinubu, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies for the successful rescue operation.

On his part, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, insisted that the global body does not intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign member states.

In a statement issued by his media office in New York, Ibrahim said matters relating to internal security fall within the responsibility of national and sub-national governments, stressing that the United Nations is not empowered to investigate domestic security incidents such as the recent abduction in Oyo State.

He urged Governor Makinde to channel his efforts towards strengthening security measures and supporting victims of the attack rather than seeking intervention from the international organisation.

While congratulating Nigerians and the security agencies on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, Ibrahim called on the Oyo State governor to publicly apologise to the victims and their teachers.

According to him, such a gesture would reflect empathy, accountability, and responsible leadership in the aftermath of the incident.

The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs also appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide adequate support to the families of any teachers who may have lost their lives as a result of the abduction.

Oyo Assembly Faults Senate’s Caution on Makinde, Says UN Probe Call Misunderstood

The Oyo State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its support for Governor Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

The House, in a statement issued from the office of the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, on Tuesday, maintained that an international probe remains necessary to establish the facts surrounding the mass abduction, strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, and help prevent similar attacks on schools across the country.

“Mass abduction of schoolchildren has become a disturbing pattern in Nigeria. If our collective efforts as a country have not been sufficient to end this menace, it is only appropriate to invite the relevant agency of the United Nations to investigate the unusual circumstances surrounding the Oyo State case and make recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence. Enough is enough.”

The statement also reacted to the Senate’s resolution cautioning Governor Makinde against seeking a United Nations-backed investigation, insisting that the governor’s position had been misconstrued.

According to the House, Governor Makinde’s call should not be misinterpreted but should instead be seen as a patriotic appeal for greater transparency, accountability, and international collaboration in addressing the growing menace of terrorism and mass school abductions.

The Oyo State House of Assembly noted that the governor had consistently commended President Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps, and other security stakeholders for their coordinated efforts, which culminated in the successful rescue of the victims after weeks in captivity.

“The call for an independent international investigation is neither an indictment of the Federal Government nor a criticism of our gallant security agencies. It is a responsible request aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, identifying possible security gaps, and making recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence. Commending the efforts of our security agencies and seeking a transparent review of the incident are not mutually exclusive,” the House stated.

The Assembly explained that terrorism and attacks on schools have assumed transnational dimensions, making international cooperation increasingly important in developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.

It stressed that many democratic nations have subjected major security incidents to independent investigations without undermining the professionalism of their security institutions or their national sovereignty.

The House further stated that Governor Makinde’s proposal was not about apportioning blame but about ensuring that every lesson from the Oriire abduction is fully understood and translated into stronger security measures capable of protecting innocent schoolchildren across Nigeria.