Makinde gets report on Oyo school kidnapping, promises action

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has received the report from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry. This commission looked into the May kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The governor promised to implement the recommendations and take steps to ensure it does not happen again.

In a statement on X, Mr Makinde said he got the report on Tuesday from the commission’s chairman, Majeed Owoade, a retired judge. This took place in the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The governor stated his administration would carefully review the commission’s recommendations before making a public announcement on what actions will be taken.

“Earlier today, we received the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire Abduction,” Mr Makinde wrote in a post on X. “Let me once again thank the Chairman, Hon Justice M. A. O. Owoade, JCA (Retd) and all members of the committee for their service.”

“As I said in my remarks, our administration will examine the recommendations of the commission carefully, respond to them publicly and set out the actions we will take to prevent a recurrence.”

Commission hears from 72 witnesses

PREMIUM TIMES reported in July that Mr Makinde set up an eight-member commission to investigate the kidnapping of the school pupils and teachers. This was done three weeks after the victims were rescued following 56 days in captivity.

The commission was tasked with looking into the events of 15 May when 46 pupils and teachers were taken from schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities. They needed to find out what went wrong and suggest measures to stop it from happening again.

According to a report by Vanguard, during the presentation of its findings on Tuesday, Mr Owoade revealed that the commission spoke to 72 witnesses. These included victims, traditional leaders, civil society groups, experts, and other stakeholders.

He noted that the testimonies provided crucial information about the kidnapping and the security issues in those communities. “We were able eventually to produce a report which is actually to be able to strengthen preventive security measures for the future, the ways of intelligence gathering, and of course the need for necessary cooperation, not only between governments, but also between security agencies and inter-agencies of governments,” Mr Owoade said.

Among the recommendations was a call to review relevant laws and better manage forest reserves, especially regarding security. Mr Owoade highlighted the need to reassess the management of forest reserves, including the Old Oyo National Park, which the federal government oversees.

“Of particular significance is our opinion that there is a need to review the laws and management of our forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which belongs to the federal government, with the hope that security will be maintained while maintaining fauna and flora,” he added.

Rescue not enough, Makinde

While receiving the report, Mr Makinde, who is also a presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election, said rescuing the victims does not erase the pain, trauma, and fear caused by the kidnapping.

Forty-six individuals, including 39 pupils and seven teachers, were kidnapped from the schools on 15 May. They were freed after 56 days in captivity, but two teachers and an Okada rider lost their lives during the incident and rescue operation.

The governor emphasized that the government owes the victims and residents more than just sympathy. During the presentation of the inquiry report, he also appealed to the federal government to work harder to rescue over 40 children still missing in Borno State.

While the Oriire victims are back home, the Borno children have been missing for 137 days since their abduction from Mussa community in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.