The Senate on Tuesday cautioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of 39 pupils and six teachers in the state, warning that such remarks could undermine the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling insecurity.
The warning followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on the successful rescue of the victims after 56 days in captivity and the sacrifices made by security personnel during the operation.
The Senate also commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and other security institutions for securing the release of the victims without the payment of ransom.
Also on Tuesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, faulted Makinde for what he described as politicizing the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that Tinubu prioritized their rescue over making telephone calls.
Makinde had, on Monday, while formally assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation, and education of the rescued teachers and pupils, called for a UN-backed investigation into the abduction, arguing that Nigerians deserved a full account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Bandits had, on May 15, 2026, attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esiele communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.
Leading the criticism of the governor during plenary, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, described Makinde’s call as unnecessary and capable of diminishing the achievements of the security forces.
He said, “Mr President, I read it this morning in newspapers, and I have also seen it in the electronic media that the governor of Oyo State is calling on the United Nations to probe the overall circumstances surrounding the kidnap and even the rescue.
“I thought that was unsportsmanlike. He has carried partisan politics too far, and this Senate should condemn his unguarded statement.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation. When we wake up and call on foreign authorities to investigate.
“This is one case in which our armed forces have shown that, without paying a ransom, even though it meant those children and some adults remained in captivity for almost two months, they worked quietly to carry out the rescue operation.
“As captured in this motion, the operation unfortunately resulted in the loss of some lives.
“To trivialize it or suggest, as the Oyo governor seems to have done, that the UN needs to unearth the circumstances is to question the sovereignty of our nation and to downplay the achievements of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, and all the service chiefs involved in this process.
“I think there is a moment in the history of this nation when, across party divides, we should stand in unity to commend the manner in which these victims were released and encourage the armed forces to build on it.
