Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on the United Nations (UN) and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde made the call in a statewide broadcast following the rescue and reunion of the victims with their families after spending 56 days in captivity.
He said the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the eventual rescue of the victims were serious enough to warrant independent international scrutiny.
“The circumstances surrounding this abduction are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.
“Therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, I 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.
The governor explained that his call for an international investigation was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s institutions but to strengthen public confidence in the search for truth and 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 responsible, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable,” he added.
Makinde noted that responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to him, Nigerians deserve a full, transparent and credible account of the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
“The Nigerian people therefore deserve a full, transparent and credible account of what happened, who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and what measures must now be taken to ensure that no community is ever subjected to such a tragedy again,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the safety of residents and called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders to improve security across the state.
