Oyo abduction: Presidency blasts Makinde over call for UN probe

The Presidency on Monday criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Makinde had earlier called for an independent international probe while formally receiving 45 rescued pupils and teachers who spent 56 days in captivity following their abduction on May 15, 2026, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Reacting, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the governor’s request suggested a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions, insisting that security agencies had already provided sufficient explanations regarding the incident.

“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,” Onanuga said.

He, however, questioned the basis for the call, noting that security agencies had no reason to deliberately subject citizens, especially children to prolonged captivity.

“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.

Onanuga also emphasised that the rescue operation came at a cost, with some security personnel, including members of the military and Amotekun, losing their lives in the process.

Describing the governor’s position as politically driven, he said, “It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential aspirant now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate.”

He added that the military and the Department of State Services had already disclosed their findings, describing the call for a UN probe 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,” Onanuga said.

In his earlier remarks, Governor Makinde maintained that his call for international scrutiny was not intended to undermine Nigerian institutions but to strengthen accountability and public confidence.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.

“I therefore… call on appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and its resolution,” he said.

Makinde stressed that Nigerians deserve a full account of the incident, including whether there were institutional failures or negligence.

“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 added.

The abducted pupils and teachers were taken on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA. The victims were rescued after 56 days in a coordinated security operation.

Following their release, the Oyo State Government assumed responsibility for their welfare, with plans to provide medical care, psychological support, and educational assistance.

Governor Makinde assured that the victims would remain under medical observation before being reunited with their families, pledging continued support for their recovery.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said the rescue operation involved multiple security agencies and required sustained efforts, including intelligence tracking and ground operations in difficult terrain.

The military confirmed that the operation led to casualties among security personnel but ultimately resulted in the safe recovery of the victims.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to dismantle the networks responsible for the abduction and prevent future incidents.