Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has called on the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA on May 15.
Speaking in a broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils
and their teachers in his office in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Monday,
Makinde said the “circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently
grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic
institutions”.
“I, therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the
executive governor of Oyo state, call on the appropriate international human
rights organisations and accountability mechanisms, including those within the
United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction
and the circumstances of its resolution,” the governor said.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our
institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence, that truth be
established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of
office, influence, or affiliation, would be held accountable.”
The governor said the responsibility for national security
rests with the federal government and the security agencies under its control,
in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
He said Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of
the incident, including who was responsible, whether there were institutional
failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and the steps being taken to
prevent a reoccurrence.
“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.
“To every parent across Oyo State, let me assure you that
your government has heard your fears and will not relent until every lawful
step has been taken to make our schools and communities safer for our children.
“As the government of Oyo State, we will continue to support
every lawful effort that strengthens our security architecture, protects our
people, and brings every person responsible for this tragedy to justice.”
On Friday, July 1o, the presidency announced that the
teachers and pupils abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo state have regained their
freedom.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, announced on X that
they were rescued by security agencies.
The pupils and their teachers were rescued during a joint
operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police, backed by
intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS).
Reacting to the rescue, President Bola Tinubu commended the
military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police “for working
round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted
children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting
eight of the abductors and neutralising others.”
The president praised the Oyo state government for working
closely with the federal government throughout the rescue operation and urged
the state to strengthen security around schools.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully
rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State
today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that
neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest
of eight of them,” Onanuga quoted Tinubu as saying in a statement.
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