The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the demand as unnecessary and an attempt to politicise the country’s security challenges.
The reaction followed Governor Makinde’s appeal for an independent international probe while receiving the 39 rescued pupils and six teachers who regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
The governor argued that the circumstances surrounding the abduction and eventual rescue of the victims required an impartial investigation to establish the facts, promote transparency and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
Responding on behalf of the Federal Government, the Presidency maintained that Nigerian security agencies had acted professionally throughout the rescue operation and that there was no justification for inviting the United Nations to investigate the incident.
According to the Presidency, the successful rescue of the victims was the outcome of coordinated operations involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and other security operatives who worked tirelessly to secure the release of the abductees.
The Presidency further noted that some security personnel paid the ultimate price during the rescue efforts, stressing that suggestions of negligence or complicity by security agencies were unfair and capable of undermining the sacrifices made by those involved in the operation.
It insisted that the Federal Government remains committed to combating insecurity across the country and urged political leaders to avoid actions or statements that could erode public confidence in national institutions.
Governor Makinde, however, defended his position, stating that his request was not intended to discredit the nation’s security agencies but to ensure accountability and provide a comprehensive account of the events surrounding the kidnapping.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve to know how dozens of schoolchildren and teachers were abducted, held captive for nearly two months and eventually rescued, adding that an independent review would help strengthen future security responses and prevent similar incidents.
The school abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed kidnappers attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.
Following weeks of coordinated security operations, the victims were rescued and reunited with their families, marking the end of one of the state’s most high-profile kidnapping incidents in recent years.
The exchange between the Presidency and Governor Makinde has since generated political debate, with both sides insisting that their positions are aimed at protecting the interests of Nigerians and improving the country’s security response.
