By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Presidency on Monday dismissed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of 45 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the request as unnecessary, politically motivated and a vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the military and other security agencies had already provided sufficient explanations on the rescue operation and questioned the rationale behind seeking international intervention.
Speaking in response to Makinde’s remarks, Onanuga maintained that the Federal Government had nothing to hide and would not oppose any independent review if the governor believed unresolved issues remained.
“Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” he said.
The presidential spokesman argued that it was inconceivable that security agencies would deliberately expose innocent schoolchildren and teachers to a 56-day ordeal, noting that the rescue operation claimed the lives of military personnel and members of the Amotekun Corps.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the commitment of security forces rather than any alleged conspiracy.
Onanuga also accused Makinde, who has declared interest in the 2027 presidential race, of allowing politics to shape his position.
He described the governor’s demand as unwarranted, insisting that existing security agencies, including the military and the Department of State Services, had already briefed the public on the operation.
Makinde had called for an international investigation while formally receiving the rescued pupils and teachers after they were handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government.
The governor argued that the unusual circumstances surrounding the abduction warranted independent scrutiny beyond domestic institutions, stressing that the move was intended to strengthen public confidence rather than undermine Nigeria’s security architecture.
He said Nigerians deserved a transparent account of the incident, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level.
“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,” Makinde said.
The governor also announced that the state government had taken full responsibility for the welfare, medical care, psychological rehabilitation and education of the rescued victims.
He assured that the teachers and pupils would continue receiving support until they fully recovered from the traumatic experience.
The victims have since been admitted to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso for further medical evaluation and treatment.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, disclosed that the rescue followed 56 days of sustained military and intelligence operations involving the Nigerian Army, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes.
He said the operation extended across several states and resulted in the deaths of two soldiers, while others sustained injuries during confrontations with the kidnappers.
One of the rescued victims, Community High School principal Mrs Rachael Alamu, recounted the harrowing experience, revealing that the abductors executed mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun to intimidate security operatives and demonstrate their resolve.
She said the victims trekked through forests for hours, endured repeated beatings and survived under extremely difficult conditions throughout their captivity.
The controversy over Makinde’s call generated mixed political reactions.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party supported an independent investigation, arguing that it would establish accountability and restore public confidence.
However, the Labour Party opposed international intervention, insisting that the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force should conduct a comprehensive investigation without involving the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, visited the rescued teachers and pupils in Ibadan, commending the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their resilience and sacrifices during the operation while donating cash to the victims as part of efforts to support their recovery.
Leave a Reply