Oyo Governor Makinde Calls for UN Investigation Into 56-Day School Abduction Ordeal
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the United Nations (UN) and other international human rights and accountability bodies to scrutinise the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that Nigerians deserve a full account of the circumstances surrounding the victims’ 56-day captivity and eventual rescue.
Makinde made the appeal shortly after the rescued pupils and teachers were handed over to the Oyo State Government following their release from captivity. While expressing gratitude that the victims returned alive, the governor maintained that several questions about the incident remain unanswered and deserve an independent examination.
According to the governor, the scale and nature of the abduction warrant scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions. He said the objective of seeking international attention is to ensure accountability, establish the full facts surrounding the incident and restore public confidence in the safety of schools across the country.
Makinde stressed that his request should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s security agencies or politicise the rescue operation. Instead, he argued that an independent review would help answer critical questions about how dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted, how they remained in captivity for nearly two months and the exact circumstances that led to their eventual freedom.
The governor said justice for the victims and reassurance for parents must remain the priority. He added that ensuring transparency in the handling of such incidents would strengthen public trust and reinforce the commitment to protecting children in schools across Nigeria. He also reiterated that every Nigerian child deserves to learn in an environment free from fear and violence.
Makinde assured the rescued pupils, teachers and their families that the state government would provide medical care, trauma counselling and other rehabilitation services to help them recover from the physical and psychological effects of their ordeal. He noted that many of the victims experienced severe hardship during their weeks in captivity and would require sustained support.
However, the governor’s call for a UN-backed review has drawn criticism from the Presidency. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the demand as unnecessary, arguing that Nigeria’s security agencies had already provided an account of the intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ release after 56 days. He maintained that the Federal Government had nothing to hide and that the country’s institutions were capable of investigating the matter without international intervention.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping dozens of pupils and teachers. Their rescue after 56 days was welcomed across the country, with security agencies stating that sustained intelligence operations and pressure on the abductors contributed to the successful outcome.
The incident has reignited national debate over the security of schools and the need for stronger measures to prevent future attacks. Education advocates and security experts have urged governments at all levels to improve surveillance around schools, strengthen intelligence gathering and implement additional protective measures for students and teachers in vulnerable communities.
As discussions continue, Makinde insists that a transparent and independent examination of the incident is essential, not only to establish the facts surrounding the abduction but also to help shape better security policies that will prevent similar tragedies in the future. The coming days are expected to witness further debate as stakeholders weigh the merits of the governor’s proposal and the Federal Government’s response.
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