The Senate has asked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to withdraw his demand for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and eventual rescue of pupils and teachers from schools in Ogbomoso.
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The resolution followed the adoption of an additional prayer moved by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during consideration of 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 the other 108 senators.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North, described Makinde’s call for an international investigation as “not statesmanly” and “politics taken too far.”
The former Edo State governor urged the Senate to caution Makinde against what he described as an attempt to trivialise the rescue operation by questioning the circumstances surrounding the abduction and release of the victims.
Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East, seconded Oshiomhole’s prayer.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary, subsequently put the proposal to a voice vote. The initial vote was inconclusive, prompting him to call for another vote, after which the “ayes” prevailed.
The Senate then adopted the prayer asking Makinde to withdraw his demand alongside other resolutions commending Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful operation.
Makinde had called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area and their eventual rescue.
The governor said the circumstances of the 56-day hostage crisis were sufficiently grave and unusual to require independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
He maintained that international scrutiny would not undermine Nigerian institutions but would strengthen public confidence, establish the truth and ensure that anyone found responsible—regardless of office, influence or affiliation—was held accountable.
Makinde said Nigerians deserved a full account of what happened, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion and what measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence.
The Presidency had earlier criticised the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated, although presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the Federal Government would not prevent the United Nations from examining the incident should Makinde insist that unresolved questions remained.
During the debate, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North, thanked the Federal Government and the military for securing the release of the victims.
“We give God the glory. We thank the military for a job well done. We hope this experience will be used in other areas. On behalf of my people, we appreciate the Federal Government and we thank them for bringing our children back,” he said.
Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central urged the Armed Forces to intensify efforts to rescue other schoolchildren still being held by kidnappers, particularly in Borno State.
Senator Tahir Monguno, representing Borno North, similarly asked the military to apply the same urgency and coordination to the rescue of children abducted in his state.
Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central said the successful operation had renewed public confidence in Nigeria’s security forces, describing the rescue as evidence that seemingly insurmountable security challenges could be overcome.
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central urged National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to sustain the inter-agency cooperation that produced the successful operation and replicate it in other security interventions nationwide.
Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua of Katsina Central also called on the military to sustain the momentum and secure the release of other Nigerians still in captivity.
The Senate commended Tinubu for what it described as his decisive leadership and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
It also praised the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency and other officers who participated in the operation.
The lawmakers congratulated the rescued pupils, teachers and their families and prayed for the repose of the teacher who died while in captivity.
The chamber also paid tribute to F. A. Isaac, Silas Musa and Abena John Jerome, identified as military personnel killed during the rescue operation, and observed a minute’s silence in their honour.
The Senate further commended Adamu Hussain for his gallantry after he sustained injuries during the operation and urged the authorities to provide him with proper medical treatment and all benefits due to him.
It called on the Federal Government to intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits through improved equipment, surveillance technology, intelligence capabilities, logistics and better welfare for security personnel.
The lawmakers also demanded the prompt payment of death benefits, pensions, insurance claims and other entitlements owed to the families of security personnel killed in the line of duty.
Nigerians were urged to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing timely intelligence and cooperating with ongoing security operations.
The victims were rescued through an operation involving the Nigerian Army and police, supported by intelligence from the DSS. President Tinubu said eight suspected abductors were arrested while others were neutralised during the operation.
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