Senate rejects Makinde’s call for UN probe into Oyo school abduction

The Nigerian Senate has rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for the United Nations to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the incident remains a domestic security matter that should be handled by Nigerian authorities.

Instead, the upper legislative chamber commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers, who regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

The Senate also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation and urged the Federal Government to improve the welfare of officers involved in counter-kidnapping and other security operations.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and co-sponsored by other lawmakers to commend the security agencies for the successful rescue mission.

During the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) moved an additional prayer urging Governor Makinde to withdraw his call for a United Nations-led investigation, arguing that such a move was unnecessary and could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty. The Senate adopted the recommendation.

Governor Makinde had, in a statewide broadcast on Monday following the handover of the rescued victims to the Oyo State Government, appealed to relevant United Nations agencies and international accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

He argued that the incident required independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions to establish the truth and ensure accountability.

“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 had said.

However, senators disagreed with the proposal, maintaining that inviting the United Nations to investigate the incident could undermine the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies and the country’s sovereignty.

Senator Oshiomhole accused the governor of politicising the country’s security challenges, describing the request for a UN-backed investigation as an attempt to discredit the work of Nigerian security agencies.

The Senate consequently urged Governor Makinde to allow the appropriate national authorities to conclude investigations into the abduction and subsequent rescue of the pupils and teachers.

Lawmakers also observed a minute’s silence in honour of Lieutenant F. A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome, who lost their lives during the rescue operation, while extending condolences to their families and the affected security agencies.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of death benefits, insurance claims and other entitlements due to the families of the fallen officers.

It also called for increased investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, logistics and personnel welfare to strengthen the country’s response to kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The 44 pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State before regaining their freedom after 56 days in captivity through a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.

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