The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the request as unnecessary and politically motivated.
Governor Makinde made the appeal on Monday while formally assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity. He argued that Nigerians deserved a full account of the circumstances surrounding the abduction and called for an independent international investigation.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State, kidnapping 39 pupils and six teachers before they were eventually rescued.
Reacting to the governor’s position, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Makinde’s demand implied a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions, insisting that the military and other security agencies had already provided explanations on how the rescue operation was carried out.
Speaking in an interview, Onanuga said the Federal Government had nothing to hide and would not oppose any international scrutiny if the governor believed further clarification was necessary.
“The Governor has 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,” Onanuga said.
The Presidency maintained that the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers was the result of coordinated efforts by the military and other security agencies, stressing that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture.
