Oyo Abduction: Presidency Dismisses Makinde’s Demand for UN Investigation
By Biliamin Abdulmumeen
The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the request as unnecessary and politically motivated.
Makinde made the call on Monday after the Federal Government formally handed over the 45 rescued victims, 39 pupils and six teachers, to the Oyo State Government. The victims had spent 56 days in captivity after being kidnapped by armed bandits who attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The governor argued that Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, urging the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding both the abduction and the rescue operation.
Reacting to the demand, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said there was no reason to doubt the explanations already provided by Nigeria’s security agencies.
According to him, the Presidency has no objection if the UN chooses to examine the incident, but maintained that the governor’s request was unwarranted.
Onanuga questioned why anyone would suggest that security agencies deliberately allowed the victims to remain in captivity, noting that soldiers and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives during efforts to rescue them.
He also accused Makinde, who is seeking the presidency, of allowing politics to influence his position, insisting that the governor was trying to politicise a tragic incident.
Responding to the criticism, Makinde maintained that his call was not aimed at discrediting Nigeria’s institutions but at ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence.
He stressed that Nigerians deserve to know exactly what happened, whether there were any institutional failures, negligence, or collusion, and what measures would be put in place to prevent a similar tragedy in the future.
The governor also announced that the Oyo State Government has taken full responsibility for the welfare of the rescued pupils and teachers, assuring that they will receive medical care, psychological support, and educational assistance until they fully recover.
