Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for an independent international investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers from Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area, urging the United Nations and other global human rights bodies to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and its eventual resolution.
Makinde made the appeal on Monday while receiving the rescued pupils and teachers at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan after they were formally handed over to the state government by the Federal Government.
The governor said the gravity of the abduction warranted scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions to establish the truth and ensure accountability.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are grave enough to deserve independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions. I therefore call on the appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and how it was resolved,” Makinde said.
He explained that the request was not intended to undermine Nigerian institutions but to strengthen public confidence in the outcome of investigations.
“This is not about discrediting our institutions. Rather, it is about ensuring that the truth is established and that anyone found responsible, regardless of position, influence or affiliation, is held accountable,” he stated.
Makinde also reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding lives and property, noting that national security remains under its control.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primary responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government and the security agencies under its command,” the governor said.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a transparent account of the events that led to the abduction, the efforts made to secure the victims’ freedom and any lapses that may have occurred.
“The Nigerian people deserve to know what happened, who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and what measures will be taken to ensure that no community experiences such an ordeal again,” he said.
The governor stressed that his call for an international probe should not be viewed through a political lens.
“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 attend school without fear,” Makinde added.
The rescued pupils and teachers arrived at the Oyo State Secretariat on Monday after receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support at the Military Hospital in Ibadan.
The victims were abducted by gunmen from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026, and spent 56 days in captivity before they were rescued by security operatives.
The Federal Government announced their rescue on Friday, while Governor Makinde had earlier visited the victims at the military hospital before Monday’s official handover ceremony.
