The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of 39 pupils and six teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, arguing that Nigeria’s security agencies have already provided a credible account of the rescue operation.
The disagreement emerged a day after the Oyo State Government formally took responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the rescued victims, who spent 56 days in captivity before security forces secured their release.
Also read: Makinde casts doubt on Oriire abduction, calls international investigation
The victims were handed over to the state government after undergoing initial medical assessments.
Governor Makinde, speaking during a statewide broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and teachers in Ibadan, urged the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to examine the circumstances surrounding both the abduction and the rescue.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” the governor said, adding that such an investigation would reinforce public confidence rather than undermine Nigerian institutions.
The Presidency, however, dismissed the proposal as unwarranted.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government had no objection if an international body chose to review the incident, but questioned why the governor believed such a step was necessary after months of security operations.
“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.
The presidential spokesman argued that the operation had come at a significant cost, with military personnel and local security operatives losing their lives while pursuing the abductors.
He described suggestions of official complicity as implausible and accused the governor of allowing political considerations to influence the debate.
“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,” Onanuga said.
Governor Makinde rejected suggestions that his position was politically motivated, maintaining that Nigerians deserved a transparent account of what transpired during the 56-day ordeal.
“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,” the governor said.
The rescue followed one of the most extensive security operations mounted in southwestern Nigeria in recent years.
According to the Nigerian Army, troops, police officers, Department of State Services operatives, Amotekun personnel and local vigilantes pursued the kidnappers through dense forest, disrupted their supply routes and dismantled parts of their support network before the captives were freed.
The operation reportedly claimed the lives of two soldiers, while several suspected kidnappers were arrested and others killed.
Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, said sustained collaboration among security agencies and directives from President Bola Tinubu and Governor Makinde were instrumental to the outcome.
He said the mission extended beyond rescuing the victims and remained focused on dismantling terrorist networks operating around the Old Oyo National Park.
The rescued teachers and pupils have since been placed under medical observation and psychological care by the Oyo State Government before being reunited with their families.
Governor Makinde also pledged continued educational and welfare support, including engagement with the management of the affected private school to minimise disruption to the children’s education.
The debate has drawn mixed political reactions. The Nigeria Democratic Congress, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Social Democratic Party and the Young Progressives Party backed the governor’s call for an independent investigation, arguing that greater accountability would strengthen public trust.
The Labour Party, however, maintained that any further investigation should remain within the jurisdiction of Nigeria’s security agencies.
The abduction, which occurred on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities, marked an unusual escalation of school kidnappings into Nigeria’s South West, where such attacks have historically been less frequent than in the North.
Also read: Makinde casts doubt on Oriire abduction, calls international investigation
The successful rescue ended weeks of uncertainty but has also fuelled renewed debate over transparency, accountability and the country’s broader response to insecurity.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
