The Presidency on Monday 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 demand as unnecessary, politically motivated and a vote of no confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
The position of the Presidency was made known by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in reaction to Makinde’s request for an independent international probe into the incident. The development was reported by The PUNCH.
Makinde had, while formally taking responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, urged the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
Responding to the governor’s position, Onanuga said the Federal Government had no objection if the UN chose to examine the incident but maintained that Nigerian security agencies had already given satisfactory accounts of the rescue operation.
“The Governor has just 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.
He argued that there was no basis to suggest that security agencies deliberately allowed the victims to remain in captivity, noting that soldiers and operatives of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives during efforts to secure the victims’ release.
“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” he asked.
Onanuga further accused Makinde, who is seeking the presidency, of allowing politics to influence his call for an international investigation.
“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” he said.
Earlier, Makinde insisted that an independent investigation was necessary to establish the truth behind the abduction and strengthen public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
“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,” the governor said.
He maintained that the request was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s institutions but to ensure accountability.
“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 added.
The governor also announced that the Oyo State Government had assumed responsibility for the welfare, medical care, psychological rehabilitation and education of the rescued teachers and pupils following their handover by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the victims were rescued through sustained joint operations involving the military, police, Department of State Services, Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes, noting that some security personnel paid the supreme sacrifice during the mission.
Opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party, backed Makinde’s call for an independent investigation, while the Labour Party rejected the proposal, insisting that Nigerian security agencies should handle the matter.
