The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for calling for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the request as unnecessary and politically motivated.
According to The PUNCH, Makinde made the appeal on Monday while formally assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the rescued victims, who spent 56 days in captivity after being abducted by armed bandits on May 15, 2026.
The governor said Nigerians deserved a full and transparent account of the circumstances surrounding the abduction and its resolution. He urged international human rights and accountability bodies, including the United Nations, to independently examine the incident, insisting the move was intended to strengthen public confidence rather than undermine Nigerian institutions.
Responding, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government had no objection if the UN chose to examine the incident but maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies had already explained the rescue operation.
Onanuga questioned the basis for the governor’s demand, noting that security personnel, including soldiers and Amotekun operatives, lost their lives during the rescue mission. He described it as “unthinkable” that security agencies would deliberately allow children to remain in captivity for 56 days.
The presidential spokesman also accused Makinde, a declared presidential aspirant, of allowing politics to influence his position, saying the governor was showing a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
Makinde rejected claims that his request was politically motivated, insisting the call was about justice for the victims, accountability and restoring public confidence in the country’s security system. He reminded the Federal Government that the Constitution places responsibility for national security on the Federal Government and its agencies.
The governor also announced that the Oyo State Government had taken over the care of the rescued pupils and teachers, promising medical treatment, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recover. He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their release.
The Nigerian Army said the rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations involving the military, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun and local vigilantes. General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said two soldiers were killed and others injured during the operation, which eventually forced the abductors to release the victims without conditions.
One of the rescued victims, school principal Rachael Alamu, recounted the traumatic experience in captivity, revealing that the kidnappers killed mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun to intimidate security forces and demonstrate their resolve.
The governor’s call for an international investigation received backing from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party, which argued that an independent probe would promote accountability and strengthen public trust.
However, the Labour Party opposed involving the United Nations, insisting that Nigeria’s security agencies should handle any further investigation into the abduction.
