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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on the United Nations (UN) and other international human rights bodies to investigate the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in the state, saying the incident deserves independent scrutiny.
Speaking on Monday at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan during the official handover of the rescued teachers and pupils to the state government and their families, Makinde said the kidnapping raised serious questions that must be fully addressed.
He said, “The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution.”
The governor said he was asking the appropriate international human rights and accountability bodies, including those within the United Nations system, to examine both the abduction and how the victims regained their freedom.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions. 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.
Makinde stressed that the Nigerian people deserve a transparent account of what happened, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion.
“The Nigerian people deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence, or collusion at any level,” he said.
The governor also announced plans to tighten security around communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
He said the state government would strengthen monitoring of access routes into and out of the park, improve community intelligence, and work more closely with local communities and security agencies.
“Constitutional limits do not diminish our responsibility to do everything within our lawful power to protect the people of Oyo State,” Makinde said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to security agencies, adding that the painful experience should prompt stronger security measures.
“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 added.
Makinde assured parents that the state government would continue working to improve security and ensure those responsible for the kidnapping are brought to justice.
“The Nigerian people deserve a full and transparent account of what happened… This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims.”
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says parents and communities deserve a clear account of what happened during the Oriire school… pic.twitter.com/b472zJU2RO
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 13, 2026
