The Senate has cautioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde against making statements it says could undermine ongoing efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies to combat terrorism and kidnapping.
The warning followed Governor Makinde’s call for the United Nations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary, Senator Adams Oshiomhole criticised the governor’s comments, accusing him of politicising the plight of the kidnapped victims. He urged the Senate to condemn what he described as Makinde’s “unguarded” remarks.
Makinde had made the call while announcing that the Oyo State Government would assume responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the rescued victims. He also suggested that aspects of the kidnapping and subsequent rescue operation appeared to have been orchestrated.
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐔𝐍 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability… pic.twitter.com/vXDkPWb462
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) July 13, 2026
Reacting to the governor’s position, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Makinde’s request for a United Nations investigation suggested a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions. He maintained that the military and other security agencies had already provided explanations regarding the rescue operation.
Onanuga, however, added that the Presidency had no objection to an international body examining the incident if the governor believed there were outstanding concerns that required further clarification.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. A total of 39 pupils and six teachers were kidnapped during the attacks before they were later rescued.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde calling on the United Nations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers is most unstatesmanlike. He carries partisan politics too far, and this Senate should condemn his unguided statement. Nigeria is a sovereign nation.
– Sen.… pic.twitter.com/qE4Pj8nU4H
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) July 14, 2026
