Tinubu’s aide dismisses governor’s demand as political, while Oyo leader insists international scrutiny is needed to uncover the truth behind 56-day captivity of pupils and teachers…..
A fresh dispute has emerged between the Presidency and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over the governor’s call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde, who formally received the rescued victims on Monday and assumed responsibility for their welfare, rehabilitation and education, had asked international human rights organisations and accountability bodies within the United Nations system to examine the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the eventual rescue operation.
The governor said the incident was “sufficiently grave and unusual” to require independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
However, the Presidency criticised the move, describing it as unnecessary and suggesting that political motives may have influenced the governor’s decision.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria’s security agencies had already provided explanations about the rescue operation and questioned the need for external involvement.
In an interview, Onanuga said the government had no objection if Makinde believed there were unresolved issues that required further examination.
“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.
He, however, argued that security agencies had no reason to deliberately expose children to prolonged suffering, noting that personnel involved in the rescue operation also paid a heavy price.
Onanuga said some members of the military and local security outfits lost their lives while pursuing the abductors.
He described it as unrealistic to suggest that anyone within government or the security structure would intentionally allow children, some as young as four years old, to remain in captivity for 56 days.
The presidential spokesman also accused Makinde, who has been linked with interest in the 2027 presidential race, of allowing political considerations to influence his position.
“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 described the governor’s demand as unnecessary, insisting that the military and the Department of State Services had already made their findings known.
Makinde insists probe is about accountability
Responding to concerns over his call for an international investigation, Makinde said the move was not intended to undermine Nigerian institutions but to ensure transparency and accountability.
Speaking after receiving the rescued pupils and teachers in Ibadan, the governor said Nigerians deserved answers about what happened before, during and after the abduction.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions,” Makinde said.
He urged relevant international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those under the United Nations, to examine the facts surrounding the kidnapping and the rescue process.
According to him, such scrutiny would help establish the truth and ensure that anyone found responsible, regardless of position or influence, is held accountable.
Makinde also reminded the Federal Government that national security remains its constitutional responsibility.
He said Nigerians deserved to know who was responsible for the attack, whether there were failures, negligence or possible collusion, and what steps would be taken to ensure such an incident does not happen again.
“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.
Victims begin recovery process
The 45 rescued pupils and teachers 39 pupils and six teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, after armed attackers invaded schools in Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The victims were released after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Army, police and intelligence agencies.
Makinde said the Oyo State Government had taken full responsibility for their continued welfare, including medical treatment, psychological support and educational assistance.
He thanked President Tinubu and security agencies for their role in securing the victims’ release.
The governor said the incident was unprecedented during his more than seven years in office and expressed hope that such an attack would never happen again in the state.
He added that although the affected school was privately owned, the state government would work with its management to ensure that teachers’ careers and pupils’ education were not disrupted.
The victims were later taken to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, for further medical evaluation before their eventual reunion with families.
Army reveals details of rescue operation
The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue operation involved months of intelligence gathering and coordination among several security agencies.
He explained that troops tracked the abductors through difficult forest terrain but faced challenges locating the victims because of the thick vegetation.
According to him, aerial surveillance could not effectively penetrate the forest canopy, forcing security forces to rely heavily on ground operations.
Nnebeife disclosed that the operation came at a cost, with two soldiers killed and others injured during the mission.
He said the operation involved the Army, police, DSS, Amotekun, local vigilantes and other security formations.
The military commander added that security forces targeted the abductors’ networks, logistics routes and associates across several locations before the pressure eventually forced the release of the victims.
Principal recounts horrifying captivity
The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Rachael Alamu, later revealed the harsh conditions the victims endured while in captivity.
She said the abductors moved them through forests at night, forcing them to travel through unfamiliar routes while living in constant fear.
Alamu disclosed that the kidnappers killed mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun as a warning to security agencies and the government.
She described the journey into captivity as traumatic, explaining that the victims were transported through difficult terrain using vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles before being taken deep into the forest.
The principal also expressed uncertainty about returning to work in rural communities after the experience.
Parties divided over UN investigation
Makinde’s call for an international probe has attracted mixed reactions from political parties.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party supported the proposal, arguing that an independent investigation could help uncover the truth and strengthen public confidence.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said the priority should be identifying and prosecuting those responsible.
Similarly, APGA spokesman Ejimofor Opara said any process that leads to justice for victims should be welcomed.
The SDP and YPP also backed broader investigations into insecurity across the country.
However, the Labour Party opposed the idea of inviting the United Nations, arguing that Nigeria’s security agencies should handle investigations into domestic security matters.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Makinde should provide any additional information he had rather than seek international involvement.
He argued that the governor should instead demand a comprehensive investigation from agencies such as the DSS and police.
Alaafin visits rescued victims
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, also visited the rescued pupils and teachers, praising security agencies for their efforts in securing their freedom.
The monarch commended the military’s intelligence-led operations against criminal groups and made cash donations to the victims during his visit.
He also appreciated traditional rulers and other stakeholders who contributed to efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
