The Presidency on Monday criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, describing the demand as unnecessary, politically driven and a vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
The criticism followed Governor Makinde’s appeal for an independent international investigation while formally receiving the rescued victims at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan. The governor had argued that the circumstances surrounding the mass abduction and the eventual rescue of the pupils and teachers raised serious questions that required transparent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
Makinde also announced that the Oyo State Government had officially taken responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and continued education of the rescued victims, promising comprehensive medical, psychological and educational support to help them recover from the traumatic experience.
The victims were among those abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on three schools located in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. During the attacks, the assailants stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and another public primary school, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.
The victims remained in captivity for 56 days before they were rescued in a joint security operation involving the military, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
Reacting to the governor’s remarks, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the call for a United Nations-backed investigation, insisting that Nigerian security agencies had already provided sufficient explanations regarding the rescue operation.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Onanuga said the Presidency had no objection if the United Nations or any international organisation wished to examine the incident, but questioned the rationale behind Makinde’s request.
“The governor has merely expressed his opinion that the United Nations should investigate the incident. If he believes there is more to it than what has already been explained by our military and security agencies, our doors are open. Let the UN come,” Onanuga said.
He maintained, however, that there was no evidence suggesting that the rescue operation or the prolonged captivity of the victims resulted from any deliberate conspiracy involving Nigerian security agencies.
According to him, the rescue mission was costly, with several security personnel making the ultimate sacrifice while pursuing the kidnappers.
Onanuga noted that members of the Armed Forces, Amotekun Corps and other security operatives risked and, in some cases, lost their lives during the operation to secure the safe release of the abducted children and teachers.
He argued that it would be unreasonable to suggest that security agencies deliberately allowed innocent schoolchildren to remain in captivity for nearly two months.
“Look at those children. Some of them are barely four, five or six years old. Will anybody deliberately expose children of that age to such unimaginable trauma for 56 days? It is simply unthinkable,” he said.
The presidential spokesman also recalled that one of the abducted teachers was murdered during the period of captivity, saying such tragic consequences further demonstrated the seriousness of the security agencies’ efforts to rescue the victims alive.
Onanuga accused Governor Makinde of allowing political ambition to influence his public statements, noting that the governor is widely believed to be preparing for the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the governor’s demand reflected a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s institutions and appeared designed to generate political controversy rather than strengthen public trust.
“It is unfortunate that Mr Makinde, perhaps because of politics and because he is now pursuing presidential ambitions, does not seem to have confidence in our own institutions and is instead calling on external bodies to investigate,” Onanuga stated.
He stressed that both the military and the Department of State Services had already briefed the public on the operation, insisting that the governor’s call for international intervention was unwarranted.
“The military has spoken. The DSS has explained its role. There is absolutely no need for this kind of demand. It is unnecessary,” he said.
Onanuga further accused the governor of politicising a sensitive national security issue.
“The governor is simply playing politics. It is politics of the most bizarre kind. He wants to weaponise every available issue, including promoting conspiracy theories that have no factual basis,” he added.
Governor Makinde had made the call shortly after receiving the rescued victims from the Federal Government in Ibadan on Monday.
Speaking during the ceremony, the governor said the unusual nature of the abduction and the circumstances surrounding its resolution justified independent international scrutiny.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions,” Makinde 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.”
The governor explained that his request was not intended to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s institutions but rather to reinforce public confidence through transparency and accountability.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to discredit our institutions. Rather, it is meant to strengthen public confidence by ensuring that the truth is fully established and that every individual found culpable, irrespective of office, influence or affiliation, is held accountable,” he said.
Makinde also reminded the Federal Government that the Constitution places responsibility for national security squarely on its shoulders.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primary responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government and the security agencies under its command,” he stated.
He argued that Nigerians deserved a comprehensive explanation of the events leading to the abduction, the handling of the crisis and the circumstances surrounding the victims’ eventual rescue.
“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 implemented to ensure that no community is subjected to such an ordeal again,” the governor said.
Rejecting suggestions that his position was politically motivated, Makinde maintained that his concern was solely for justice, accountability and the protection 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 attend school without fear,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has formally assumed responsibility for the welfare and rehabilitation of the rescued pupils and teachers.
Makinde assured that the victims would receive comprehensive medical treatment, trauma counselling, psychological support and educational assistance until they had fully recovered from their ordeal.
He said the state government remained committed to helping the victims rebuild their lives while ensuring that adequate support systems were put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
