Makinde sets up panel to probe abduction of Oyo children, teachers

By David Adeoye

Oyo governor, Seyi Makinde on Thursday announced that he has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The setting up of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was announced in a statement by Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation in a statement on Thursday in Ibadan.

According to the statement, the commission was expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the abduction and identify the factors that led to the security breach.

He said that the panel which would be inaugurated on Friday was also tasked to make recommendations to prevent a recurrence.

“The commission will examine the events leading to the kidnapping, assess the response of relevant authorities, and recommend measures to improve security and safeguard schools and communities across the state,” Oyelade said.

He further explained that the setting up of the panel was in line with the governor’s commitment to ensuring a thorough and independent investigation into the incident.

The abduction occurred on May 15, while the abducted pupils and teachers were rescued after 56 days in captivity.

Makinde had earlier called for independent probe of the abduction of children and teachers in a broadcast he made immediately after their release

He solicited the help of international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system to investigate the matter.

According to him, the circumstances of the abduction are sufficiently grave and unusual.

He said that such scrutiny was intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth would be established.

He added that Nigerians deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence, or collusion.

“The reunion of these children and teachers with their families does not mark the end of this painful chapter.

“It marks the beginning of another responsibility: our collective responsibility to establish the truth,” he said.

The governor stressed that the call was not about politics “but about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear”.

(NAN)