The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s request for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the move as unnecessary and politically driven. Makinde, on Monday, formally assumed responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 pupils and teachers who were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. The governor had called for an independent international inquiry, arguing that Nigerians deserved a transparent explanation of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The victims, comprising 39 pupils and six teachers, were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting to the governor’s demand, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the call implied a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions. He argued that the military and other security agencies had already provided accounts of the rescue operation.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Onanuga said the Federal Government had no objection if the United Nations decided to examine the matter, provided Makinde believed there were unanswered questions.
“The Governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” he said.
However, the presidential spokesman questioned the justification for seeking an international investigation, insisting that security agencies had no motive to intentionally prolong the suffering of the victims. He noted that some military personnel and members of the Oyo State security outfit, Amotekun, lost their lives during efforts to rescue the abductees.
Onanuga described as “unthinkable” any suggestion that security officials could deliberately expose the victims, including young children, to such trauma.
“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” he asked.
The presidential aide also accused Makinde, who is reportedly interested in contesting the 2027 presidential election, of allowing political considerations to influence his demand for an international probe.
“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” Onanuga said.
He added that the military and the Department of State Services had already shared information about the incident, describing the governor’s request as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary.”
“The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory,” Onanuga alleged.
Meanwhile, Makinde defended his call for an international investigation, insisting that it was aimed at ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence rather than undermining Nigerian institutions.
In a video shared by Oyo Affairs on Monday after the rescued pupils and teachers arrived at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, the governor said the circumstances surrounding the abduction required independent scrutiny.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution.
“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,” Makinde said.
The governor explained that the request was not intended to discredit Nigeria’s security agencies but to guarantee that the truth emerged and those responsible for any wrongdoing were held accountable.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institution. Rather, it is intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable,” he said.
Makinde further reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional duty to oversee national security, stressing that Nigerians deserved a complete account of what happened.
“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 added that the public had the right to know whether there were failures, negligence or possible collusion that contributed to the incident.
“The Nigerian people, therefore, 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 taken to ensure that no community is ever subjected to such an ordeal again,” the governor said.
Rejecting claims that his demand was politically motivated, Makinde said the focus should remain on justice for victims and improving security for 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 go to school without fear,” he said.
The rescued pupils and teachers were received at the Oyo State Secretariat on Monday after being formally handed over to the state government by the Federal Government.
Oyo Govt Takes Over Victims Welfare
The Oyo State Government has officially assumed responsibility for the welfare and rehabilitation of the teachers and pupils rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area, assuring that they will receive medical care, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recover.
Governor Seyi Makinde gave the assurance on Monday after the military formally handed over the victims to the state government at the Government House in Ibadan. The victims were released after spending 56 days in captivity.
Makinde expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the country’s security agencies for their efforts in securing the safe return of the teachers and pupils.
“On behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, I sincerely thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support and the leadership of all the security agencies for working together to secure the safe return of the teachers and pupils,” he said.
Describing the incident as a major security challenge for the state, the governor said such an occurrence was unprecedented during his tenure in office.
“I have been governor for over seven years, and this is the first time we have experienced an incident like this. I sincerely pray it will be the last,” Makinde stated.
The governor acknowledged that the victims would require time and support to recover from their traumatic experience, assuring them that the state government would remain committed to their wellbeing.
“Although the school is privately owned, we will engage its management to ensure there is no disruption to the teachers’ careers or the education of the affected pupils. We will stand by you throughout this recovery period,” he said.
Makinde further disclosed that the rescued pupils and teachers would remain under medical supervision for between 24 and 48 hours to ensure they were in stable condition before being reunited with their families.
“We want to ensure everyone is medically fit before discharge. On behalf of the people of Oyo State, we now officially take responsibility for the rescued teachers and pupils and will provide every support necessary for their full recovery,” he added.
Following their handover to the state government, the rescued schoolchildren and teachers were taken to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, on Monday evening for further medical assessment and treatment.
Their arrival sparked celebrations among residents of Ogbomoso, as families and community members expressed relief that the victims were closer to returning home after enduring more than seven weeks in captivity.
Military Reveals Details of 56-Day Operation
The Nigerian Army has disclosed that a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies and supported by directives from President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other stakeholders led to the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of the state after 56 days in captivity.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the security forces maintained relentless pressure on the abductors from the beginning of the incident, despite the challenges posed by the difficult terrain where the victims were held.
“The security forces pursued the abductors from day one, but they had moved deep into the forest. Although the operation claimed the lives of some personnel, it eventually paid off with the successful rescue of the victims after 56 days,” Nnebeife said.
He explained that the rescue mission was a highly coordinated effort involving the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and other security formations working together to track and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
According to the GOC, the initial aerial surveillance efforts were unable to identify the exact location of the victims due to the thick forest environment where they were being held, forcing troops to move in on the ground to continue the search and rescue operation.
Nnebeife revealed that the mission came with significant sacrifices, noting that two soldiers lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the operation. He added that one of the wounded personnel suffered a gunshot injury that resulted in a fractured arm.
He said the operation was not only focused on rescuing the victims but also on dismantling the structure of the criminal group by identifying key actors involved in the abduction and disrupting their supply lines and network of informants operating within the Old Oyo National Park and other areas.
The army commander further disclosed that security operatives tracked associates of the abductors and members of their wider network across different states, including Adamawa and Kano, as part of efforts to weaken the group’s operations.
He said the final stage of the mission involved cutting off the group’s main logistics base in Ashamu, a move he said eventually forced the kidnappers to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally.
However, Nnebeife emphasised that the operation was part of a broader security strategy aimed at ending terrorist activities in the region, stressing that security agencies would continue efforts to eliminate criminal networks and restore lasting peace.
Opposition Parties Back Makinde’s Call for UN Probe
Four opposition parties have thrown their weight behind Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s demand for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, saying an independent inquiry would help uncover the truth and ensure justice for the victims.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) said a credible investigation was necessary to determine what happened, hold those responsible accountable and restore public confidence in the country’s fight against insecurity.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, supported calls for a comprehensive probe, stressing that those behind the incident must be identified and prosecuted.
“The truth is that whenever a crime is committed, there should be a thorough investigation so that those found culpable can face the full wrath of the law. Perhaps, because of the perceived failure of our judicial system, Governor Seyi Makinde has lost confidence in it and is now calling for the United Nations to intervene.
“As a party, we support a proper investigation to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are punished. Whether it is the UN, the Nigerian judiciary or any other credible institutions that can help achieve justice, what matters is that the perpetrators are identified and held accountable,” he said.
Director added that the issue should not be viewed from a political perspective but as a matter of justice, public safety and rebuilding trust in the country’s security system.
“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 go to school without fear,” he said.
Similarly, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, said any action capable of ensuring that the abductors face justice should be supported.
“Whatever it is that will bring the perpetrators to justice is a welcome development,” he said.
The SDP also backed the call for a wider investigation into Nigeria’s growing security challenges. Its National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the persistent cases of kidnapping and killings across the country required urgent attention.
“The continued kidnappings and killings across Nigeria should be probed,” he said.
The YPP also aligned itself with Makinde’s position, with its National Publicity Secretary, Wale Egbeola-Martins, saying the party supported any initiative aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the abduction and preventing future occurrences.
“Any effort aimed at uncovering the truth, identifying the perpetrators, ensuring justice for the victims and preventing a recurrence of such tragic incidents deserves support,” he said.
Egbeola-Martins stressed that accountability and transparency were essential to restoring confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions and improving the government’s response to rising insecurity.
“Our priority should be the safety of Nigerians, justice for victims and the implementation of measures that will prevent similar incidents in the future,” he added.