It’s Politics Of Bizarre— Presidency Slams Gov. Makinde Over Call For UN Probe Into Oyo Abduction
The Presidency has dismissed Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the demand as politically motivated and unnecessary.
In a statement released on Monday, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Governor Makinde's request reflected a lack of confidence in Nigeria's security institutions, insisting that the military and other security agencies had already given a satisfactory account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Makinde had made the call while formally receiving the 45 pupils and teachers rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction on May 15, 2026.
Responding to the governor's position, Onanuga said the Federal Government had no objection to any external review but questioned the rationale behind seeking international intervention.
“The governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” he said.
He argued that suggestions of official complicity were unfounded, stressing that no security agency would deliberately allow children to endure weeks in captivity.
"Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?" Onanuga asked.
The presidential aide further noted that the rescue mission came at a heavy price, with members of the military and the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, reportedly losing their lives during the operation.
He accused the governor of exploiting the incident for political purposes.
“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential aspirant now, doesn't have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” Onanuga said.
He maintained that the military and the Department of State Services had already presented their findings, describing the governor's request as "unwarranted" and "absolutely unnecessary."
"The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available," he added.
However, Makinde insisted that his call for an international probe was aimed at promoting accountability rather than discrediting Nigeria's institutions.
"The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.
"I therefore call on appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and its resolution," the governor said.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation of the incident, including whether institutional failures or negligence contributed to the prolonged captivity of the victims.
“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,” he said.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 after gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area. They were rescued after 56 days in a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
Following their release, the Oyo State Government said it had taken responsibility for the victims' welfare, including medical treatment, psychological support and educational assistance.
Makinde said the victims would remain under medical observation before reuniting with their families and pledged sustained government support for their rehabilitation.
The Nigerian Army also confirmed that the rescue operation involved extensive intelligence gathering and ground operations across difficult terrain. It acknowledged that security personnel were killed during the mission but said the operation ultimately secured the safe recovery of all the abducted pupils and teachers.
The military added that efforts were continuing to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the abduction and prevent similar attacks in the future.