IBADAN, Nigeria — The Nigerian Presidency on Monday, July 13, 2026, criticized Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of 45 pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the presidency has no objection to an international body examining the incident if the governor believes there are unresolved issues, but questioned the necessity of the request. Onanuga stated that the demand suggested a lack of confidence in national security agencies, which had already completed the rescue operation.
Armed bandits on May 15, 2026, abducted 39 pupils and six teachers from three schools in the communities of Yawota and Ahoro Esienle in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The victims spent 56 days in captivity before their release. Makinde made the call for international intervention at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan after the federal government handed over the rescued victims on Monday, July 13, 2026.
During his address, Makinde requested that international human rights and accountability bodies investigate the incident to ensure transparency. The governor said, “The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution. I therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, 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 the circumstances of its resolution.”
Makinde stated that his demand was intended to reinforce public confidence rather than discredit domestic agencies. He said, “Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institution. Rather, it is intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable.” He added, “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.”
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Social Democratic Party, and the Young Progressives Party released statements supporting the governor’s call for an independent investigation. Conversely, Nigeria’s Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, opposed the involvement of an international body, stating that domestic security agencies should handle the investigation. Asogwa stated, “As much as I want a thorough probe into the kidnapping of the children in Oyo State so Nigerians can know exactly what transpired, I think it is unnecessary to invite the United Nations to meddle in our internal security matters.”
The rescue operation involved multiple domestic security formations and resulted in casualties. Nigeria’s General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, stated that the operation claimed the lives of two soldiers and wounded other personnel. The Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle, Rachael Alamu, stated that the abductors killed a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, during their captivity. Alamu said, “The reason the kidnappers killed one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was to scare away the security agencies and to send a clear message to the government that they meant business.”
Following their formal handover to the state government, the rescued schoolchildren and teachers arrived at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso on Monday, July 13, 2026, for medical evaluation.
