The Nigerian Presidency has criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state, describing the demand as “unnecessary and politically motivated”.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that local military and security forces have already detailed the successful 56-day rescue operation, leaving no justification for external interference.
Responding to Makinde’s remarks, Onanuga said the Federal Government had nothing to hide and maintained that the country’s institutions were capable of handling the matter.
“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 questioned the rationale behind the governor’s position, stressing that no security agency would deliberately allow children to remain in captivity for such an extended period.
“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” he asked.
Onanuga also highlighted the sacrifices made during the rescue operation, noting that personnel of the Nigerian military and the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, lost their lives while working to secure the victims’ freedom.
The presidential aide accused Makinde of politicising the incident, linking the governor’s position to his recently declared presidential ambition.
“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 and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” he said.
Describing the governor’s demand as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary”, Onanuga argued that the call sought to cast doubt on the credibility of Nigeria’s security agencies despite the successful rescue mission.
Makinde had earlier urged the United Nations and other international accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the May 15 abduction and subsequent rescue of 39 pupils and six teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the incident warranted independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
