Oyo governor forms panel to probe school abduction amid lingering doubts

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers from the Esinele and Yawota communities earlier this year. The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, announced the panel's formation, emphasizing its role in probing the incident that has left the governor publicly expressing doubts.

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For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted.

Governor Makinde has openly questioned the abduction's circumstances, even suggesting a political motive. He noted that the incident occurred shortly after he declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027. "For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State," Makinde stated, highlighting the unusual timing of the event, which he said happened "by 9 a.m. the following morning" after his presidential declaration.

The newly formed commission is tasked with determining the precise circumstances surrounding the abduction, identifying the factors that led to the security breach, and recommending preventative measures. The panel's inauguration is scheduled for Friday. This move aligns with the governor's commitment to a thorough and independent investigation into the kidnapping, which saw pupils and teachers held captive for 56 days before their rescue on July 10.

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The commission will examine the events leading to the kidnapping, assess the response of relevant authorities, and recommend measures to improve security and safeguard schools and communities across the state.

Makinde has previously called for international scrutiny, urging the United Nations and other human rights bodies to examine the incident. He described the circumstances as "sufficiently grave and unusual" to warrant a review beyond domestic institutions, even after the victims regained their freedom. The abduction, which occurred on May 15, has raised significant questions, prompting the governor's persistent calls for a deeper examination of the events.

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the circumstances surrounding the incident were “sufficiently grave and unusual” to warrant an independent review.