The Oyo State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its support for Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The lawmakers said such a probe is essential to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident, strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, and prevent future attacks on schools.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Office of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in Ibadan, the Assembly also congratulated the state government and residents on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after weeks in captivity.
Describing mass abductions of schoolchildren as a troubling and recurring pattern in Nigeria, the House stressed the need for urgent and decisive action.
“If our collective efforts as a nation have not been sufficient to end this menace, it is only appropriate to invite relevant United Nations agencies to examine the unusual circumstances surrounding the Oyo State incident and make recommendations to prevent a recurrence. Enough is enough,” the statement read.
Governor Makinde had earlier called for international scrutiny in a broadcast on Monday, following the return of the rescued victims to Ibadan. He said the nature of the incident warranted independent review by the United Nations and international human rights organisations.
The Assembly also addressed concerns raised by the Senate, which had cautioned against seeking a UN-backed investigation. According to the lawmakers, the governor’s position had been widely misunderstood.
“Governor Makinde’s call should be viewed as a patriotic appeal for transparency, accountability, and international collaboration in tackling terrorism and mass abductions—not as a criticism of the Federal Government or security agencies,” the statement said.
The House noted that the governor had consistently commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, and other stakeholders for their coordinated efforts that led to the safe rescue of the victims.
It emphasised that seeking an independent investigation does not diminish the achievements of security operatives but rather complements them by identifying possible gaps and strengthening future responses.
“Commending our security agencies and calling for a transparent review are not mutually exclusive,” the Assembly stated, adding that the objective is to fully understand the incident and translate lessons learned into stronger protective measures.
The lawmakers further highlighted the evolving transnational nature of terrorism and attacks on educational institutions, noting that international cooperation has become increasingly necessary in developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.
They pointed out that several democratic nations have subjected major security incidents to independent investigations without undermining sovereignty or the professionalism of their security institutions.
Reiterating its position, the Assembly stressed that the proposed probe is not about apportioning blame but about ensuring that every lesson from the Oriire abduction is thoroughly examined to better safeguard schoolchildren across the country.
While commending the Senate for recognising the sacrifices of security personnel and advocating improved welfare, training, logistics, and equipment, the House maintained that these efforts align with, rather than contradict, the governor’s proposal.
Both approaches, it said, are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and kidnapping.
The Assembly called on Nigerians, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations, to support initiatives that enhance national security and protect vulnerable citizens, particularly schoolchildren.
