Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has clarified that his appeal for the United Nations to investigate the mass abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area was not intended to undermine the efforts of Nigerian security agencies but to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies.
Speaking on Friday in Ibadan while inaugurating an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the May 15 kidnapping, Makinde said the objective was to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident, identify gaps in the response, and recommend lasting reforms to strengthen the safety of schools and communities.
The governor stressed that the inquiry was necessary because the responsibility of government extends beyond securing the release of victims.
“Our duty did not end with the rescue of the victims. Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure,” he said. “This judicial commission represents our commitment to ensuring that every lesson is learnt and every question deserving of an answer is answered.”
Makinde explained that his earlier call for international support was motivated by the need for an independent assessment of the incident rather than any attempt to diminish the sacrifices made by security agencies.
“It was for this reason that I called on the international community to support an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he stated.
The abduction, which occurred on May 15, saw 44 pupils and teachers from three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area taken hostage by armed kidnappers.
The victims regained their freedom on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity, following sustained operations by the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
The operation, however, came at a heavy cost, with two teachers and several security personnel losing their lives.
Makinde charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial and evidence-driven investigation capable of restoring public confidence and preventing a repeat of the incident.
According to him, the panel is expected to establish the facts surrounding the kidnapping, identify any institutional or operational failures, and propose practical measures to improve the protection of schools and vulnerable communities across the state.
He urged the commissioners to allow their work to be guided solely by the evidence, the law and the public interest.
“The people of Oyo State and indeed Nigerians expect nothing less than a credible and impartial process,” the governor said.
Makinde gave the commission four weeks to conclude its assignment but assured members that the timeline could be extended if additional time became necessary to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
He also pledged the full support of the state government to enable the panel to discharge its mandate independently and professionally.
The governor further appealed to individuals, public institutions and security agencies to cooperate with the commission by providing all relevant information that would assist it in establishing the truth behind the abduction and recommending measures to forestall future occurrences.
