Oriire: Real reason I called for int’l probe of abduction, rescue – Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has clarified that his call for a UN investigation into the recent Oriire school abductions was not meant to undermine security agencies, even as he inaugurated an eight-member judicial commission to probe the incident.

Seyi Makinde wants to be clear: this isn’t a vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s security forces.

Speaking Friday while inaugurating a Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the Executive Chamber, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State governor addressed the backlash over his earlier appeal to the international community — particularly the United Nations — to investigate the abduction and rescue of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to The Nation, the eight-member panel, chaired by retired Court of Appeal Justice Professor Mojeed Owoade, has been given one month — extendable if needed — to probe the abductions in Esiele and Yawota communities. Other members include Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs Ayo Obe, retired Engr. Ngozi Onadeko, Dr Abimbola Orogade, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, and Mr Folorunsho Osunrayi, with Mrs Olamide Sandra Tella serving as secretary.

Makinde got personal to explain his stance, recalling that his father was sent to Ahoro Dada for teacher training in 1959 at St. Luke’s — the very community affected. “Let’s just assume that he got kidnapped and he was the one beheaded. I never would have been born,” he said, using the scenario to underscore why he pushed for outside scrutiny.

“That call was never about diminishing the efforts of our security agencies whose sacrifices we acknowledge and appreciate,” he said. “It was about ensuring that every lesson is learned and every question that deserves an answer is answered.”

The governor expressed gratitude for the safe return of the abductees, framing the kidnapping as an assault on every Nigerian child’s right to learn safely and on parents’ confidence in sending their children to school.