Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for renewed efforts to rescue more than 40 schoolchildren who have remained in captivity in Borno State, 137 days after they were abducted.
Makinde made the appeal on Tuesday while receiving the report of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry established to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The Borno children were abducted from Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area on May 15, 2026 — the same day gunmen attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
About 42 children were initially reported to have been abducted in Borno, although later accounts put the number of missing children higher.
In Oyo, 46 people — 39 pupils and seven teachers — were taken from schools in Esinele and Yawota communities.
The Oyo victims were eventually rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, although two teachers and an Okada rider lost their lives during the incident and rescue operation.
Makinde said the difference between the two cases highlighted the need for urgent action to secure the release of the children who remain in captivity.
“Let me end this remark by calling for intensified efforts to rescue the over 40 children kidnapped in Borno State on the same day as the Oriire abduction, who remained in captivity 137 days later,” he said.
“No Nigerian child, irrespective of what corner of Nigeria they may be located, should have to fear for their lives because they are trying to get educated,” the governor added.
While acknowledging the relief that followed the rescue of the Oriire victims, Makinde said their return could not erase the deaths, trauma and fear caused by the attack.
“Forty-six people were taken from their school on 15th May 2026. Two teachers lost their lives. While the operation was going on, an Okada rider also lost his life,” he said.
The governor said 44 people eventually returned after 56 days in captivity but stressed that the rescue should not prevent authorities from examining how the attack happened and what could have been done differently.
“As a government, we owe everyone more than an expression of sympathy. We owe answers, action, and an honest account of what government must do better to ensure that when we say, ‘May this never happen again,’ it is supported by action,” Makinde said.
He explained that the commission was set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction, including the information available to security agencies and the response of relevant institutions.
The panel was also expected to determine whether intelligence, administrative or operational failures contributed to the attack.
Makinde said the state government would study the commission’s recommendations and respond publicly.
He added that issues involving federal security agencies and other authorities would be taken up with the appropriate bodies.
“I’ve just received the report. I went through the summary with Justice Awadi Reda. We will examine its recommendations carefully, respond to them publicly, and set out the actions we will take,” he said.
The governor said Oyo State had also introduced measures to strengthen its security system.
Among them are the operationalisation of the 615 toll-free emergency number, refurbishment and expansion of the security control room and improved communication between the police, ambulance services, Operation Burst and other relevant agencies.
However, Makinde said the eventual rescue of the victims should not be treated as the only measure of success.
“No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection. Yes, they were rescued,” he said.
He also praised security agencies, local hunters and vigilantes who participated in the rescue operation alongside the military, police, intelligence services and other federal agencies.
According to the governor, authorities must also examine what could have prevented the attack, reduced the period of captivity and improved the safety of children in schools.
“But to me, personally, rescue cannot be the only measure of success. You can’t say, ‘Oh, okay, well, they were rescued, so we were successful.’ We must ask, what could have prevented the attack? What could have shortened the ordeal? And what would make children safer in their schools?” he said.
Makinde said the lessons from the Oriire incident should contribute to broader efforts to develop systems capable of identifying security weaknesses before they result in attacks on schools and vulnerable communities.
He said security research would be part of his broader national approach to addressing insecurity.
The governor added that the commission’s findings should result in clear responsibilities and measurable actions.
“So this Commission’s report will lead to decisions, assigned responsibilities, and progress that the public can follow. So our children’s safety must be the test of what changes,” he said.
Presenting the commission’s report, its chairman, retired Justice Majeed Owoade, said the panel visited the affected communities and schools to obtain first-hand information about the incident.
“We visited the scene of crime. We were in Yawota, and we inspected the affected schools,” Owoade said.
The commission also heard from 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders.
According to Owoade, the recommendations were aimed at improving preventive security measures, intelligence gathering and cooperation among governments and security agencies.
He said the report contained recommendations for the state and local governments, joint recommendations involving the federal and state governments, as well as matters requiring action by the Federal Government.
One major recommendation, he said, was a review of the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park, which is under federal control.
Owoade said the review should seek to improve security while also protecting the park’s wildlife and vegetation.
He expressed hope that the recommendations would receive prompt attention to strengthen the protection of schools and communities across Oyo State.
Source: NAN.
