The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation. The investigation concerns the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. This controversy is often referred to as the Makinde UN probe by observers.
According to The Punch, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described the governor’s request as unnecessary and politically motivated. He argued that Nigerian security agencies had already explained how they rescued the victims.
Armed attackers invaded three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities on May 15, 2026, and abducted 39 pupils and six teachers. Security operatives later secured the freedom of the surviving victims. This happened after 56 days in captivity.
Presidency questions Makinde’s demand
Onanuga said the Federal Government would not stop an international organisation from examining the incident. However, the ongoing debate about whether a Makinde-initiated UN probe should take place shows the depth of the disagreement. This would apply if Makinde believed that security agencies had left important questions unanswered.
“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.
However, he questioned why anyone would believe that officials deliberately allowed young children and teachers to remain in captivity for almost two months.
Onanuga also noted that soldiers and Amotekun personnel lost their lives while pursuing the abductors.
“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 aide accused Makinde of using the abduction to advance his political interests, with some critics dubbing it a Makinde-led UN probe for political influence.
“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.
He also described the demand as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary,” insisting that the military and Department of State Services had disclosed the information available to them.
“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,” Onanuga added.
Makinde insists Nigerians deserve answers
Makinde called for international scrutiny after the Federal Government handed the rescued pupils and teachers over to the Oyo State Government on Monday. Notably, the Makinde administration’s demand for a UN probe remains central to the debate on accountability.
The governor argued that the unusual circumstances surrounding the abduction and the victims’ release required an independent investigation strongly reminiscent of calls for a Makinde and UN probe effort.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” he said.
“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.”
Makinde maintained that an international investigation would strengthen rather than undermine Nigerian institutions. As public debate continues, the Makinde-inspired UN probe has sparked both support and criticism.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institution. 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 said.
He also said Nigerians deserved to know whether institutional failures, negligence or collusion contributed to the incident. Ultimately, the push for the Makinde UN probe is about ensuring transparency, the governor argues.
“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.
Governor assumes responsibility for victims
Makinde announced that the Oyo State Government would provide medical care, psychological support and educational assistance to the rescued victims. These would continue until the victims fully recovered, paralleling his commitment to accountability through the Makinde-led UN probe proposal.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for their roles in securing their release.
“On behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, I sincerely thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support and the leadership of all the security agencies for working together to secure the safe return of the teachers and pupils,” he said.
The governor added that the victims would remain under medical observation before reuniting with their families.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said soldiers, police officers, DSS personnel, Amotekun operatives and local vigilantes worked together during the rescue operation.
He said the security forces identified members of the kidnappers’ network, blocked their supply routes, and tracked their associates across several states. The impact of the proposed Makinde UN probe has also intensified scrutiny of how well operations were coordinated.
According to him, pressure on the group’s logistics base eventually forced the abductors to release the victims without conditions.
Opposition parties divided over UN request
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party supported Makinde’s call. They agree on the need for an independent investigation similar to the Makinde UN probe being discussed.
The parties said a credible probe could uncover the truth and identify those responsible. Furthermore, it could strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s response to insecurity.
However, the Labour Party rejected the proposed UN involvement.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Nigerian security agencies should handle the investigation. He argued that inviting the UN could raise sovereignty concerns, which is why some remain opposed to the Makinde UN probe concept.
“If, in his position as the state’s chief security officer, Governor Makinde has intelligence suggesting there is more to the incident than what Nigerians have been told, then he owes it to the public to disclose it,” Asogwa said.
He urged Makinde to demand a comprehensive investigation from the DSS and police. He advised this rather than invite an international organisation to examine a domestic security matter, in clear reference to the Makinde UN probe proposal dividing public opinion.
