The Presidency has rebuked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for requesting a United Nations-led inquiry into the kidnapping of students and educators in the Oriire Local Government Area. Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, characterized the governor’s appeal as politically driven and unneeded. Onanuga noted that the federal government would permit such an investigation if the governor insisted, but he questioned the logic of doubting local security efforts after victims endured 56 days of captivity.
Highlighting the sacrifices made, the presidential aide stated that soldiers and Amotekun personnel died during the rescue operation. He further noted the tragic death of one teacher during the ordeal. Onanuga suggested that Governor Makinde, who has ambitions for the presidency, is attempting to leverage the situation for political gain, labeling the move a display of distrust in national institutions.
Governor Makinde had proposed the international probe during a ceremony where 45 rescued individuals were returned to the state government. He argued that the gravity of the incident requires independent scrutiny to ensure accountability and to determine if there was any institutional negligence. Makinde maintained that his request was aimed at fostering transparency and securing justice for the victims, rather than casting doubt on the competency of Nigerian agencies.
