Presidency Rejects Makinde’s Call for UN Probe Into Oyo School Abduction, Says It’s ‘Absolutely Unnecessary’

• The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the request as unnecessary and politically motivated.

The Presidency has faulted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Nigeria’s security agencies had already provided a clear account of the rescue operation and questioned the need for an international investigation.

“The Governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” Onanuga said.

He argued that security forces had no reason to deliberately allow children and teachers to remain in captivity for 56 days, noting that some military personnel and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives during the rescue operation.

According to Onanuga, suggesting otherwise undermines the sacrifices made by security operatives.

He also accused Makinde, a presidential aspirant, of allowing politics to influence his demand for an international probe.

“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,” he said.

Onanuga further described the governor’s request as “absolutely unnecessary”, accusing him of attempting to politicise the incident.

The controversy followed Makinde’s appeal to the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue of the pupils and teachers.

According to the governor, the incident was serious enough to warrant international scrutiny, insisting that the move was aimed at ensuring accountability rather than discrediting Nigeria’s institutions.

“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,” Makinde said.

Despite the disagreement, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for their role in securing the release of the victims and announced that the Oyo State Government had taken over their medical care, rehabilitation and education.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army disclosed that the rescue operation involved multiple security agencies and came at a heavy cost, with soldiers losing their lives while pursuing the kidnappers.

The debate has continued to attract mixed reactions, with several opposition parties backing Makinde’s call for an independent investigation, while the Labour Party argued that the matter should remain within the jurisdiction of Nigeria’s security agencies.