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 from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the demand as unnecessary, unwarranted and politically motivated.
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Makinde made the request on Monday while formally receiving the rescued pupils and teachers and assuming responsibility for their medical care, rehabilitation and continued education following their release after 56 days in captivity.
Armed attackers had on May 15, 2026, invaded three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers.
The victims were eventually released following a prolonged security operation involving the military, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and other security formations. The operation reportedly claimed the lives of two soldiers and other security personnel.
Reacting to Makinde’s demand, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the governor’s request suggested that he lacked confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
Onanuga maintained that the military and other security agencies had already explained the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation.
He said the Federal Government would not prevent the United Nations or any international organisation from examining the incident should Makinde believe that there were unresolved questions.
“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,” he said.
The presidential spokesperson, however, questioned the basis of Makinde’s suspicion, arguing that no responsible government or security institution would deliberately expose children and teachers to prolonged captivity.
He pointed to the ages of some of the abducted children, the trauma they suffered during the 56-day ordeal and the killing of a Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, in the kidnappers’ camp.
“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” Onanuga asked.
He said the rescue operation came at a significant cost, with personnel of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun and other security formations reportedly losing their lives while pursuing the abductors.
Onanuga accused Makinde, whom he described as a presidential aspirant, of allowing political considerations to influence his demand for an international investigation.
“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” he said.
He further described the governor’s demand as “absolutely unnecessary” and accused him of attempting to weaponise the incident through what he termed a strange conspiracy theory.
“The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory,” Onanuga said.
Makinde, however, insisted that the circumstances surrounding the abduction and release of the victims were sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent international scrutiny.
Speaking after the rescued pupils and teachers arrived at the Oyo State Secretariat following their handover by the Federal Government, the governor called on international human rights and accountability institutions, including relevant bodies within the United Nations system, to examine the incident.
“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 and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and the circumstances of its resolution.”
Makinde said the proposed investigation was not intended to discredit Nigeria’s security agencies or undermine domestic institutions.
According to him, independent scrutiny would strengthen public confidence by establishing the truth and ensuring that anyone found responsible was held accountable, regardless of office, influence or political affiliation.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions. Rather, it is intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable,” he said.
The governor reminded the Federal Government that the constitutional responsibility for national security rests principally with it and the security agencies under its command.
He maintained that Nigerians deserved a full and transparent explanation of what happened, who was responsible and whether institutional failure, negligence or collusion contributed to the incident.
“The Nigerian people deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and what measures must now be taken to ensure that no community is ever subjected to such an ordeal again,” he said.
Rejecting allegations that his position was politically motivated, Makinde said his demand was about justice, accountability and the safety of Nigerian children.
“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,” he added.
Makinde announced that the Oyo State Government had formally assumed responsibility for the welfare, medical care, psychological rehabilitation and education of the rescued victims.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the security agencies for their contributions towards securing their release.
“On behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, I sincerely thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support and the leadership of all the security agencies for working together to secure the safe return of the teachers and pupils,” he said.
The governor described the incident as unprecedented during his more than seven years in office and expressed hope that it would never happen again.
“I have been governor for over seven years, and this is the first time we have experienced an incident like this. I sincerely pray it will be the last,” he said.
Makinde acknowledged that the victims faced a lengthy recovery process and assured them that the state would support them throughout the period.
Although the affected school is privately owned, he said the government would engage its management to prevent any disruption to the careers of the teachers or the education of the pupils.
“Although the school is privately owned, we will engage its management to ensure there is no disruption to the teachers’ careers or the education of the affected pupils. We will stand by you throughout this recovery period,” he said.
The governor added that the victims would remain under medical observation for between 24 and 48 hours before being reunited with their families.
Following their handover, the rescued pupils and teachers were taken to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso for further medical assessment and treatment.
Their arrival at the hospital prompted another round of celebrations as residents welcomed them back after their prolonged captivity.
The General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue was achieved through sustained collaboration among security agencies and directives from President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and other stakeholders.
He said security forces had pursued the abductors from the first day of the incident, but the criminals moved the victims deep into the forest, making access difficult.
“The security forces pursued the abductors from day one, but they had moved deep into the forest. Although the operation claimed the lives of some personnel, it eventually paid off with the successful rescue of the victims after 56 days,” he said.
Nnebeife explained that the operation involved the military, police, DSS, Amotekun, local vigilantes and other security organisations.
According to him, aerial surveillance initially failed to locate the victims because the thick forest canopy prevented aircraft and drones from obtaining a clear view of the area.
Ground troops were subsequently deployed to penetrate the forest and track the abductors.
The GOC said two soldiers were killed during the mission, while other personnel sustained injuries. One injured soldier reportedly suffered a gunshot wound that fractured his arm.
He explained that security forces concentrated on identifying the individuals behind the abduction, disrupting their supply routes and locating their informants within the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding areas.
Security operatives also tracked members of the criminal network across states, including Adamawa and Kano, increasing pressure on the group.
Nnebeife said the final stage of the operation involved blocking the kidnappers’ major logistics base in Ashamu, eventually forcing them to release the pupils and teachers without conditions.
He stressed that the security operation would not end with the victims’ release, as authorities remained committed to dismantling terrorist and kidnapping networks operating in the region.
The Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Mrs Rachael Alamu, said the victims were moved through forests at night, exposed to harsh weather and forced to watch the youngest children suffer severe beatings.
She disclosed that the kidnappers killed Mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun to frighten security personnel and send a message to the government that they were serious about their demands.
“The reason the kidnappers killed one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was to scare away the security agencies and to send a clear message to the government that they meant business,” she said.
Alamu recalled that the attackers used her vehicle to transport some of the victims to a location where they met other abducted pupils and their teacher.
The victims were then forced to walk before being packed onto about 10 motorcycles and driven for approximately four hours through unfamiliar forest paths.
“When we were taken, my car was used to convey us to a point. That was where we met the primary pupils and the teacher. So, we had to walk for about one hour.
“They brought bicycles and motorcycles, about 10 of them, and we were all crammed together. We rode for about four hours through uncharted paths, but they knew their way,” she said.
The principal expressed uncertainty about returning to work in a rural community following the trauma she experienced.
She said she had served for 28 years and had about four years remaining before retirement, adding that she had previously made considerable sacrifices because of the distance between her workplace and Ogbomoso.
“Going to the rural area now will take the grace of God. I have worked for 28 years and I have four years. With time, maybe I can get over it.
“But going that far—the distance between that place and Ogbomoso is far away—so I sacrificed a lot when it comes to transportation. Now, coupled with this, I don’t know what will happen for now,” she said.
Four opposition parties—the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party—supported Makinde’s call for an independent investigation.
They argued that a credible probe would help establish the facts, secure justice for the victims and improve public confidence in efforts to address insecurity.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said every serious criminal incident should be thoroughly investigated and those found responsible prosecuted.
He suggested that Makinde’s demand for international involvement might have been influenced by his perceived loss of confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
“As a party, we support a proper investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are punished. Whether it is the UN, the Nigerian judiciary or any other credible institution that can help achieve justice, what matters is that the perpetrators are identified and held accountable,” he said.
APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, said any action capable of bringing the perpetrators to justice should be welcomed.
“Whatever it is that will bring the perpetrators to justice is a welcome development,” he said.
The National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the investigation should extend to the continuing kidnappings and killings across the country.
“The continued kidnappings and killings across Nigeria should be probed,” he said.
Similarly, YPP National Publicity Secretary Wale Egbeola-Martins said any independent inquiry directed at uncovering the truth, identifying those responsible and preventing a recurrence deserved support.
He maintained that transparency and accountability were essential to rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
“Our priority should be the safety of Nigerians, justice for victims and the implementation of measures that will prevent similar incidents in the future,” he said.
The Labour Party, however, rejected Makinde’s call for United Nations involvement.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said that while a thorough investigation was necessary, the matter should remain within the jurisdiction of Nigerian security agencies.
“As much as I want a thorough probe into the kidnapping of the children in Oyo State so Nigerians can know exactly what transpired, I think it is unnecessary to invite the United Nations to meddle in our internal security matters,” he said.
Asogwa warned that inviting an international organisation to investigate the incident could raise questions about Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He said that if Makinde possessed intelligence or information beyond what had been disclosed by security agencies, he should make it available to Nigerians.
“If, in his position as the state’s chief security officer, Governor Makinde has intelligence suggesting there is more to the incident than what Nigerians have been told, then he owes it to the public to disclose it,” he said.
According to him, the governor should instead demand comprehensive investigations from the DSS and the police.
“I don’t think it is right to invite the United Nations to probe our domestic security issues. Makinde should be asking the DSS and the police to thoroughly investigate the kidnapping and unravel whatever he believes remains unexplained,” Asogwa added.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, also visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the medical facilities of the 2 Division Nigerian Army at Odogbo Cantonment in Ibadan.
The traditional ruler made cash donations to the victims and commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their efforts in combating terrorism and securing their release.
“Our military is making vital strides in combating terrorism through aggressive intelligence-led operations and precision airstrikes that continuously degrade insurgent logistics networks,” the monarch said.
He said the recent successes recorded by the military and other security agencies deserved recognition, particularly their use of intelligence-driven tactics to disrupt terrorist networks.
The Alaafin also praised other traditional rulers for their contributions and continued efforts towards securing the victims’ freedom.
Among those present at the formal handover were Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Oyo State Commissioner of Police Abimbola Olugbenga; heads of the DSS, NSCDC, Customs, Immigration, Correctional Service and Federal Road Safety Corps; military commanders; members of the Special Forces; commissioners and other members of the State Executive Council.
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