Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has explained that his call on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to investigate the abduction and rescue of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies.
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Makinde said the appeal was aimed at ensuring that every question surrounding the incident is answered and that necessary lessons are learned to prevent a recurrence.
The governor spoke on Friday while inaugurating an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
The commission is expected to investigate the abduction of teachers and pupils from schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The panel is chaired by retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Professor Mojeed Owoade. Other members are Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs. Ayo Obe, retired Commissioner of Police Ngozi Onadeko, Dr. Abimbola Orogade, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, a former General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, and Mr. Folorunsho Osunrayi.
Mrs. Olamide Sandra Tella will serve as secretary of the commission.
Makinde said the panel had been given one month to complete its assignment, but added that an extension would be granted if necessary to ensure that no issue is left unresolved.
Explaining why he called for international support in examining the incident, the governor recalled that his own father once taught in the area in 1959 and could have been a victim if such insecurity had occurred at the time.
“There’s a little bit of a story to this. My own father actually taught in Ahoro Dada in 1959. He was at St. Luke’s. I think they sent him out there for teachers’ training, so he was there. Let’s just assume that he got kidnapped and he was the one beheaded. I never would have been born,” Makinde said.
“So, it was for this reason that I called on the international community to support an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident. That call was never about diminishing the efforts of our security agencies whose sacrifices we acknowledge and appreciate. It was about ensuring that every lesson is learned and every question that deserves an answer is answered,” he added.
The governor said the abduction was not merely an attack on the affected communities, but an assault on the right of every Nigerian child to learn in safety and on the confidence of parents who send their children to school daily.
According to him, while the state remains grateful for the safe return of the abductees, the responsibility of government did not end with their rescue.
“We remain grateful for the safe return of the victims, yet our duty did not end with their rescue. Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure,” he said.
Makinde said accountability and reform were necessary to restore public confidence and prevent a similar tragedy.
He stated that the commission’s assignment is to establish the facts, identify institutional or operational lapses, recommend measures to strengthen the protection of schools and communities, and help ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
The governor expressed confidence in the members of the commission, describing them as people of experience, integrity and public service.
He also noted that although the country is in a political season, the members accepted to serve out of love for the state and country, despite the possibility that some may attempt to politicise the assignment.
“My advice is that your work must be guided only by the evidence, the law and the public interest. The people of Oyo State, and indeed Nigerians, expect nothing less than an impartial, thorough and credible process,” he said.
Makinde assured the commission of government’s full support while urging individuals, institutions and relevant agencies to cooperate by providing information that would assist the panel in arriving at the truth.
He said societies become stronger not by pretending that difficult events never happened, but by confronting them honestly, learning from them and building stronger institutions afterwards.
“May this commission help strengthen public confidence, honour the victims and their families, and contribute meaningfully to improving the security of our schools and communities,” the governor said before formally inaugurating the panel.
Speaking with journalists after the inauguration, the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mojeed Owoade, assured Nigerians that the panel would pursue the truth and nothing else.
He said the commission is made up of individuals of great experience and integrity, adding that he had confidence in those appointed to work with him.
On whether the one-month timeframe would be enough to complete the assignment, Owoade said the commission would request an extension if the period proves insufficient.
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