Makinde’s Call For UN Probe Of Oriire Abduction Sparks Heated Political Debate
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the circumstances surrounding the incident deserve scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
Makinde made the call on Monday while receiving the 45 rescued pupils and teachers formally handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government after spending 56 days in captivity.
Describing the incident as one that raises serious questions requiring independent examination, the governor said an international review would help strengthen public confidence through transparency and accountability.
“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,” he said.
Makinde stressed that his appeal was not intended to discredit Nigeria’s institutions but to establish the full facts surrounding the incident.
“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.”
However, the governor’s position drew swift criticism from the Presidency.
Speaking in an interview, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Makinde’s call as unnecessary, insisting the rescue operation came at a significant cost, with soldiers and members of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun) losing their lives during efforts to free the victims.
He also noted that one of the abducted teachers was killed while in captivity, arguing that it was inconceivable that anyone would deliberately orchestrate such an incident.
Onanuga further accused Makinde of allowing politics to shape his position.
“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.”
“The man is just playing politics… He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory.”
The exchange has since generated intense debate across social media, with Nigerians divided over the governor’s call for an international investigation.
While some users argued that an independent probe would strengthen accountability and public confidence, others insisted Nigeria’s institutions should be allowed to handle the matter without external intervention.
How Nigerians Reacted.
@kjosephola4 wrote, “One former governor of Ekiti state who has been boasting that he can spoil and damage the name and reputation of any person at will.
My question now is this: Is that the attitude of omoluabi?”
@ade, “This is what Chibok girls’ abduction lacked.
This is a welcome development 💯”
@heisvictory added, ”Let them come, Anyone against UN probing is a tinubu supporter!!!!!!!! We need accountability in this country how did it happen in one of the most secure states in this country”.
@chief_uche wrote, ”If you pay close attention, you will realize the governor is leaving out a considerable amount of information. The trust in institutions has taken a significant hit due to the APC evil, corruption and incompetence that began in 2015.”
@Kiniunoloola wrote, “Up until now his drone is still being assembled. Up until now he hasn’t given full disclosure about the 50 billion NGN relief fund for the bomb blast victims. In 10 months, his jejune, childish governance ends and EFCC is waiting to do the needful. Arrant Nonsense!”
@VicUgochukwu, ‘If you can read in between the lines, you’ll know there’s a lot the governor is not saying in all what he said. Institutional trust has been badly corroded in this country most of it due to the 2015 APC scourge that befell this nation.’
@Mariam Yetunde, “It’s not wrong for the Oyo State Governor to seek external support for transparency.
Nigerians deserve the truth on security.
Politics aside, I urge the Governor to get to the root of the matter and sustain the relative peace we enjoy.”
@Olatunde Olayinka, “Everybody should just get their PVC and do the needful come 2027.
Pls, your vote will count, make sure you vote because I’m not understanding the whole matter again.
APC/Presidency, is it a crime to invite an independent body to investigate such crime that threw the nation into trouble???.
Support APC at your own peril”
@Segun Godsfavour, “We are in support of the governor.
@Moses Agbede, “Why is the Presidency not supporting a UN prove? What’s going on?”
@Joseph K Nana, What is presidency afraid of?
@ Stanley Ndubuisi Igbo, “Like seriously? So the FG don’t want to know those responsible?”
@Tagwag Palang, “Why?clean hands has nothing to hide”
@ Bukola Afolabi, “Seyi should man up,he is the governor,he has constitutional right to set up panel to investigate the said attack by the terrorists and brief the world the truth he find out..
Its ridiculous calling on United Nations to do what he the governor has right to do, Nigeria is a sovereing Nation and UN cant do such..
He should stop playing politics with the people’s pain,if there is anything he know,he should be bold enough to tell the global community.
He is not a threat to BAT has he cant even win Oyo State in 2027…”
@ Ademola Aminu, Wike and Shettima used Oyo State as a location to put pressure on Tinubu to make sure that Shettima remains his running mate in 2027. Tinubu announced Shettima as his running mate the Oyo pupils were released same day. I hate when politicians are using innocent lives to play politics. Okay, let them show us the faces of the apprehended bandits it becomes a problem🤷🏿♂️ APC trying all their possible means to hijack Oyo State in 2027. Makinde no gree I know that man very well. The day he announced his intention to run for presidency the kids were being kidnapped. These political class of people definitely know things that we don’t know but any sensible person should understand there is a foul play somewhere.”
@Oyetunde James, ”Makinde is trying to hide his security incompetence under politics.”
What are your thoughts on Governor Makinde’s call for a UN investigation into the Oriire abduction? Should an independent international body be invited to review the incident, or should Nigerian institutions handle the matter? Share your views in the comments.
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