Senate Rejects Makinde’s Call For UN Probe Of Oyo School Abduction

The Senate has rejected Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire local government area of the state.

It asserted that the demand trivialises a tragic incident that was resolved through the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies.

The Senate position followed the adoption of a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers after 56 days in captivity.

The motion, sponsored by the Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) and co-sponsored by all senators, recognised security personnel who lost their lives during the exercise and urged the federal government to sustain military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups across the country.

The Senate’s rejection of Makinde’s position came after Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) proposed an additional prayer calling on the governor to desist from demanding a UN investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.

The proposal was seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Cross River South).

Governor Makinde had, in a statewide broadcast on Monday, after the military formally handed over the rescued pupils and teachers to the state government, called on the UN and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

According to the governor, the incident raised questions that required independent scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.

However, the Senate backed the rescue operation and praised the professionalism, courage and sacrifice of the security agencies involved.

The lawmakers commended the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and all officers and personnel who participated in the operation for what they described as exceptional professionalism, patriotism and selfless service.

During the debate, Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of other children still being held by kidnappers, particularly in Borno State.

“There are other school children still in captivity, especially in Borno State. I want our armed forces to double their efforts to ensure that other children are free,” he said.

Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) said the successful rescue had restored public confidence in the country’s security agencies.