Oyo APC berates Makinde over call for UN probe into Oriire school rescue

 The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area, describing the move as “shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader.”

The opposition party, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, accused the governor of politicising a major security operation instead of commending the efforts of security agencies that secured the victims’ release after 56 days in captivity.

The controversy follows the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15, 2026. The incident sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and led to an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

The victims regained their freedom on July 10 after a joint operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and local security operatives. They were formally handed over to the Oyo State Government on July 13 and have since been receiving medical treatment and trauma counselling.

Speaking after the rescue, Governor Makinde called for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction. He said the incident was “sufficiently grave and unusual” and urged the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to determine whether there was any negligence or collusion in the attack.

The governor’s position has drawn sharp criticism from the APC, which argued that security matters remain the constitutional responsibility of the Federal Government and Nigeria’s security agencies.

According to the party, inviting foreign organisations to investigate a domestic security operation undermines the sacrifices of security personnel, including those who lost their lives during the rescue mission.

“Oyo State has a governor who plays politics with everything, including the welfare and security of the masses,” the APC said.

The party further urged Makinde, who is serving his second and final term, to demonstrate greater restraint and statesmanship as his tenure winds down.

The governor’s call has also faced opposition at the federal level.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed the proposal for a UN investigation as unnecessary, maintaining that Nigerian security agencies had acted professionally in securing the victims’ release.

Similarly, the Senate rejected the call during Tuesday’s plenary. Lawmakers commended President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful operation and cautioned against actions that could undermine public confidence in the country’s security institutions.

Despite the criticism, the Oyo State Government has maintained that its immediate priority remains the rehabilitation and reintegration of the rescued pupils and teachers. Some of the victims have already been discharged after receiving medical attention, while others remain under observation and treatment at hospital facilities as doctors continue to monitor their recovery.

The debate over the governor’s request has added a political dimension to what has largely been celebrated as one of the country’s most significant hostage rescue operations in recent months, with discussions now extending beyond the rescue itself to issues of accountability, school security and the future of intelligence-led responses to mass abductions.