Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has sharply criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for requesting a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso. Onanuga dismissed the governor's call as unwarranted and politically motivated.
Makinde demands UN probe
During a statewide broadcast on Monday, July 13, Governor Makinde urged the UN and other international accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent rescue of the victims. He argued that the incident was sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria's domestic institutions.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” the governor said.
Onanuga's response
Reacting to Makinde's statement in an interview with Punch, Onanuga said the call was unnecessary because the military and other security agencies had already explained the circumstances of the operation. He questioned the basis for the governor's demand, asserting that there was no reason for security agencies to deliberately allow children to remain in captivity.
“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? 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,” Onanuga said.
Political motivations alleged
The presidential aide described the governor’s demand as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary,” accusing Makinde of playing politics with a tragic event. “The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory,” Onanuga added.
Onanuga also reiterated that the Nigerian government remains open to any international inquiry if Makinde insists, saying, “Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained.”
Background of the abduction
The abduction occurred in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, where gunmen kidnapped pupils and teachers from a school. After 56 days in captivity, the victims were rescued by security forces. The operation has been praised by some but questioned by others, including Governor Makinde, who has called for a transparent investigation to restore public trust.
