Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers from Ahoro Esinle School in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the incident raises serious questions that require independent international scrutiny.
Makinde made the call on Monday in a video shared by Oyo Affairs ahead of the formal reception of the rescued pupils and teachers at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan.
The Federal Government formally handed over the rescued victims to the Oyo State Government after they spent 56 days in captivity.
The pupils and teachers were abducted by gunmen from Ahoro Esinle School on May 15, 2026. Their rescue was announced by the Federal Government on Friday, after which they were admitted to the Military Hospital, Ibadan, for medical treatment and psychosocial support.
Speaking on the incident, Makinde said the circumstances surrounding both the abduction and the eventual rescue warranted an independent review beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.
“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,” he said.
The governor clarified that his call for international scrutiny was not intended to discredit Nigerian institutions but to strengthen public confidence through transparency and accountability.
“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,” Makinde stated.
He also reminded the Federal Government of its constitutional responsibility for national security.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primary responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government and the security agencies under its command,” the governor said.
Makinde maintained that Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation of how the abduction occurred, the circumstances surrounding the victims’ rescue, and 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, and what measures must now be taken to ensure that no community is ever subjected to such an ordeal again,” he added.
The governor insisted that his demand was motivated by the pursuit of justice rather than politics.
“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,” Makinde said.
He also assured the rescued pupils, teachers and their families of the Oyo State Government’s continued support as they recover from the physical and emotional trauma of their ordeal, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving school safety and working with relevant authorities to strengthen security across the state.
