‘They Said I Orchestrated The Kidnap’: Makinde Breaks Silence On Oriire School Abduction
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that he was accused of orchestrating the abduction of pupils and teachers in Esiele and Yawata communities of Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as one of the reasons his administration set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incident.
Speaking on Friday while inaugurating the commission at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the panel would independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the May 15, 2026 abduction, identify possible institutional and operational failures, and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
“They said I orchestrated the kidnap,” the governor said.
Makinde described the abduction of the pupils and their teachers as an attack on the right of every Nigerian child to learn in a safe environment and on the confidence of parents who entrust their children to schools.
While expressing gratitude for the safe rescue of the victims, he stressed that the government’s responsibility did not end with their return.
“We remain grateful for the safe return of the victims. Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure. Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence,” he said.
The governor added that the commission’s assignment was not only to establish accountability but also to recommend reforms that would ensure similar incidents do not happen again.
“Justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing; it is about learning enough to ensure that the innocent are never again placed in harm’s way,” he said.
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