The Oyo house of assembly has backed the call by Seyi Makinde, governor of the state, for the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire LGA on May 15.
Speaking on Monday in a broadcast after receiving the rescued schoolchildren and their teachers at the government house in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Makinde said the “circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions”.
However, the presidency rejected the call, with Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, describing the governor’s remarks as unnecessary and capable of undermining the efforts of the security agencies.
On Friday, July 10, the presidency announced that the teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire LGA, Ogbomoso, had regained their freedom.
Announcing the development on X , Onanuga said they were rescued by security agencies and that the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security institutions, adding that there was no basis for an international inquiry.
The senate also cautioned Makinde, arguing that such a move could undermine the country’s sovereignty and the sacrifices made by security personnel involved in the rescue operation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the office of Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo state house of assembly, the legislature said an independent international investigation is necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack, identify security gaps, and help prevent similar incidents across the country.
“Mass abduction of schoolchildren has become a disturbing pattern in Nigeria. If our collective efforts as a country have not been sufficient to end this menace, it is only appropriate to invite the relevant agency of the United Nations to investigate the unusual circumstances surrounding the Oyo State case and make recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence. Enough is enough,” the statement reads.
The assembly said Makinde’s call had been misconstrued, insisting that it should be seen as “a patriotic appeal for greater transparency, accountability and international collaboration” rather than as a criticism of the federal government or the country’s security agencies.
“The call for an independent international investigation is neither an indictment of the federal government nor a criticism of our gallant security agencies,” the legislature said.
“It is a responsible request aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, identifying possible security gaps and making recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence.
“Commending the efforts of our security agencies and seeking a transparent review of the incident are not mutually exclusive.”
The Oyo house of assembly further said terrorism and attacks on schools had assumed transnational dimensions, making international cooperation increasingly important in developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.
It added that many democratic countries had subjected major security incidents to independent investigations without undermining their security institutions or national sovereignty.
The assembly commended President Bola Tinubu, the armed forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Amotekun corps and other security stakeholders for securing the victims’ release.
It also expressed condolences to the families of security personnel and a teacher who died during the attack.