Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dismissed
allegations that he orchestrated the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire
Local Government Area, describing the claims as baseless.
The governor made the remarks on Friday while
inaugurating a Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the Executive Council
Chamber, Governor's Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to Makinde, the decision to establish the
panel is aimed at uncovering the truth behind the May 15, 2026 abduction
of students and teachers in the Esiele and Yawata communities, while addressing
misinformation surrounding the incident.
The commission has been tasked with independently
investigating the circumstances that led to the kidnapping, identifying any
institutional or operational lapses, and recommending measures to prevent
similar incidents in the future.
Speaking at the inauguration, Makinde rejected
allegations linking him to the crime.
"They said I orchestrated the kidnap. The
abduction of innocent children and their teachers was not merely an attack on
the Ahoro, Esiele and Yawata communities; it was an attack on the right of
every Nigerian child to learn in safety and on the confidence of every parent
who sends a child to school each day," he said.
The governor expressed gratitude for the safe rescue
of the victims but stressed that the government's responsibility did not end
with their return.
He said while the rescue operation brought relief to
families and residents, a thorough investigation was necessary to establish the
truth, ensure accountability, and restore public confidence.
Makinde added that justice goes beyond prosecuting
offenders, emphasizing that lessons must be learned from the incident to
prevent innocent people from facing similar dangers in the future.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is expected to
examine the events surrounding the kidnapping and submit recommendations that
will strengthen security measures and improve the protection of schools across
Oyo State.
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