Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that he was accused by some individuals of orchestrating the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the allegations prompted his administration to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incident.
The governor made the disclosure on Friday during the inauguration of the commission at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to Makinde, the panel has been tasked with conducting an independent investigation into the May 15, 2026abduction in Esiele and Yawata communities, identifying any institutional or operational failures and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.
Speaking at the event, the governor said some people alleged that he was responsible for the kidnapping, stressing that an independent inquiry was necessary to establish the facts.
“They said I orchestrated the kidnap. The abduction of innocent children and their teachers was not merely an attack on the Ahoro, Esiele and Yawata communities, it was an attack on the right of every Nigerian child to learn in safety and on the confidence of every parent who sends a child to school each day.”
Makinde noted that although the victims had been rescued, the government’s responsibility did not end with securing their freedom.
He said the state must uncover what happened, hold anyone found responsible accountable and implement reforms that would strengthen public confidence in the education and security systems.
“We remain grateful for the safe return of the victims, yet our duty did not end with their rescue. Rescue, of course, brings relief. We are all relieved.
“But truth brings closure. Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence. And because 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.”
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction, review the response of relevant institutions and recommend practical measures to improve school safety and emergency response across the state.
The Oriire school abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked schools in Esiele and Yawatacommunities, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers. The victims were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following an intelligence-led security operation.
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