A fierce row has erupted between the Nigerian Presidency and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the demand for an independent probe led by the United Nations (UN) into the Oyo State abduction.
This demand for a UN probe was made by Makinde following the abduction and recent release of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The controversy has quickly escalated, transforming a tragic 56-day hostage crisis into a political battleground ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that on July 13, 2026, Makinde formally assumed responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation, and medical care of the 45 rescued pupils and teachers.
The victims—consisting of 39 pupils and six teachers—were abducted on May 15, 2026, from three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities.
While welcoming the victims back, Makinde asserted that the circumstances surrounding their 56-day captivity were “sufficiently grave and unusual” to warrant international oversight.
He insisted that inviting the UN to probe the incident was not meant to undermine local authorities but rather to “reinforce public confidence” and ensure ultimate accountability.
“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.
“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,” the governor said.
Makinde 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,” he said.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a full account of the circumstances surrounding the abduction and its resolution.
“The Nigerian people, therefore, 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.
Insisting that his demand was not politically motivated, Makinde added: “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.
However, in a swift response, the Presidency on Monday criticised Makinde over his call for a UN probe into the abduction of Oyo pupils and teachers, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the governor’s request suggested a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions, insisting that the military and other security agencies had already provided explanations regarding the rescue operation.
Onanuga said the Presidency had no objection to an international body examining the incident if Makinde believed there were unresolved issues.
“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,” he said.
He, however, questioned the basis for the governor’s demand, arguing that security agencies had no reason to deliberately subject Nigerians, especially children, to prolonged captivity.
According to him, the rescue operation came at a cost, with some security personnel, including members of the military and Amotekun, losing their lives while pursuing the abductors.
Onanuga said it was “unthinkable” that anyone would deliberately conspire to expose the victims to the 56-day ordeal, including the killing of a mathematics teacher during captivity.
“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.
The presidential spokesman accused Makinde, who is a presidential aspirant, of allowing political considerations to influence his call for an international probe.
“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.
Onanuga added that the military and the Department of State Services had already disclosed what they knew about the incident, describing the governor’s demand as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary.”
He accused Makinde of attempting to politicise the matter, saying, “The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory.”
