Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that his earlier call for a United Nations-led investigation was not meant to undermine Nigeria’s security agencies.
Speaking during the inauguration of the panel at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Ibadan on Friday, Makinde said the proposed international probe was aimed at ensuring that every unanswered question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed.
According to the governor, while he appreciates the efforts of security operatives who secured the release of the victims, the rescue operation should not mark the end of efforts to uncover the truth and prevent similar incidents in the future.
“My call for an independent international examination of the incident was not intended to undermine the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies, whose sacrifices we acknowledge and appreciate,” Makinde said.
He described the school abduction as one of the darkest moments in Oyo State’s recent history, stressing that the attack was not only against the affected communities of Ohoro-Esinele and Yawota, but also an assault on children’s right to safe education.
The governor said the judicial panel was established to identify institutional and operational lapses, establish the facts surrounding the incident and recommend measures to strengthen security in schools and communities across the state.
“Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure. Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence,” he stated.
Makinde announced the appointment of retired Court of Appeal Justice Mojid Adekunle Owoade as chairman of the commission and gave the panel four weeks to submit its report, while assuring members that the timeline could be extended if necessary.
He also urged individuals, institutions and security agencies to cooperate fully with the commission by providing all relevant information needed for its investigation.
In an emotional reflection, the governor revealed that his late father once taught at St. Luke’s School, Yawota, in 1959, saying the tragedy made him imagine how different his own life could have been if his father had fallen victim to a similar attack.
“Every victim has a family, a future and countless possibilities that must be protected,” Makinde said.
He commended members of the commission for accepting the responsibility despite the current political climate and urged them to conduct their assignment with fairness, evidence and the public interest as their guiding principles.
