Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has defended his call on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to investigate the abduction and rescue of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the appeal was never intended to undermine Nigeria’s security agencies.
Speaking on Friday while inaugurating an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the objective was to uncover the truth behind the incident and ensure similar tragedies do not happen again.
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According to the governor, the commission has been mandated to investigate the kidnapping of teachers and pupils in Esiele and Yawota communities and submit its findings within one month, with an extension possible if necessary.
The panel is chaired by retired Court of Appeal Justice, Professor Mojeed Owoade, and includes Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs Ayo Obe, retired Engineer Ngozi Onadeko, Dr Abimbola Orogade, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, former General Officer Commanding of 2 Division, and Mr Folorunsho Osunrayi. Mrs Olamide Sandra Tella will serve as secretary.
Explaining why the incident struck a personal chord, Makinde reflected on his father’s experience as a teacher.
“My own father actually taught in Ahoro Dada in 1959. Let’s just assume that he got kidnapped and he was the one beheaded. I never would have been born.
“It was for this reason that I called on the international community to support an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident.”
He stressed that his appeal was not a criticism of security agencies.
“That call was never about diminishing the efforts of our security agencies, whose sacrifices we acknowledge and appreciate. It was about ensuring that every lesson is learned and every question that deserves an answer is answered.”
Makinde said while the safe return of the victims brought relief, the state owed citizens the truth about what happened.
“Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure. Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence.”
He described the kidnapping as an attack not only on the affected communities but also on every Nigerian child’s right to learn in safety.
According to him, the commission will establish the facts surrounding the incident, identify any institutional or operational failures, recommend measures to strengthen school security and help prevent future attacks.
The governor urged all individuals, institutions and security agencies to cooperate fully with the panel by providing relevant information, assuring members of the commission of the government’s full support to carry out their assignment independently and professionally.
Speaking after the inauguration, the chairman of the commission, Professor Mojeed Owoade, assured Nigerians that the panel would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
He said the commission’s work would be guided solely by the facts and promised that Nigerians should expect “the absolute truth and nothing else.”
