Oyo abduction: Judicial panel seeks public evidence on 46 victims’ 56-day ordeal

Oyo State's Judicial Commission of Inquiry has called on the public to submit evidence that could aid its investigation into the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area. The commission aims to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the May 15 incident and the effectiveness of the security response before, during, and after the attack.

The government issued a statement Tuesday, inviting individuals and organizations with relevant information to come forward. The deadline for submitting memoranda is August 14, 2026. Submissions should include the contributor's full name and contact details, along with any supporting documents. Memoranda can be submitted physically at the State Secretariat in Ibadan or electronically via email.

The abduction targeted three schools: Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School. A total of 39 students and seven teachers were taken captive. They remained in their abductors' custody for 56 days before being rescued in July by security agencies without any concessions made to the captors.

The prolonged captivity caused widespread concern across Oyo State and beyond. Following the rescue, Governor Seyi Makinde emphasized the need for an independent investigation, deeming the incident serious enough to warrant scrutiny beyond existing domestic institutions. The commission's terms of reference include examining the security response and gathering information on the abduction from communities like Esinele and Yawota.

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The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire abduction is calling for public memoranda.