Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has assured the public that his administration will carefully examine the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area and take appropriate action.
Makinde gave the assurance on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, while receiving the commission’s report from its Chairman, retired Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade, at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. �
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The governor said sensitive information would be protected where necessary, particularly where its disclosure could endanger lives or prejudice ongoing security operations, but stressed that confidentiality would not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.
Makinde said the May 15 abduction tested the security architecture his administration had built over the years, noting that the state had strengthened its emergency response system through the operationalisation of the 615 toll-free line, expansion of the City Watch and Security Control Room, and improved coordination among the Police, Amotekun, Operation Burst and other security agencies. �
Seyi Makinde
According to him, the incident remains part of the government’s record despite previous progress in reducing crime.
“No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection,” the governor said.
Makinde also commended the various security personnel and local actors involved in the rescue operation, including Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services and other federal agencies.
He, however, stressed that the successful rescue of the victims should not be the only measure of success.
“We must ask what could have prevented the attack, what could have shortened the ordeal and what will make children safer in their schools,” he said. �
Seyi Makinde
The governor linked the lessons from the incident to his call for a broader security reset for Nigeria, arguing that security agencies must operate within clearly defined and functional systems that make it possible to identify where failures occur.
He said the commission’s report would guide government decisions, assignment of responsibilities and subsequent actions that the public would be able to monitor.
Makinde explained that the commission was established to investigate how the attack occurred, examine available intelligence, assess institutional, administrative and operational responses, identify possible failures and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
He expressed appreciation to Justice Owoade and members of the commission for completing what he described as a difficult assignment in a politically charged atmosphere.
Commission Examines Incident, Takes Evidence From 72 Witnesses
Presenting the report, Justice Owoade thanked Governor Makinde for entrusting the commission with the assignment.
He disclosed that members of the commission visited the scenes of the incident and inspected the affected schools and surrounding areas to obtain first-hand information about what happened.
Owoade said the commission held public hearings in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan, during which it heard from 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders. �
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He said the report contained recommendations aimed at strengthening preventive security measures through improved intelligence gathering and better cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.
According to him, the recommendations cover the Oyo State Government, local governments, joint Federal-State action and matters requiring the intervention of the Federal Government.
One of the significant recommendations, he said, concerns the review of the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park, which is under federal jurisdiction.
Owoade said improved management of the forest reserve was necessary to enhance security and prevent similar incidents.
The commission was inaugurated by Governor Makinde on July 31, 2026, following the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The panel was mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, assess intelligence and institutional responses, identify operational failures and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences. �
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The commission’s report comes after the victims spent 56 days in captivity. According to the governor’s official remarks, 46 people were abducted from three schools on May 15, while two teachers subsequently lost their lives and 44 victims eventually returned after 56 days. �
Seyi Makinde
The eight-member commission was chaired by retired Justice Mojeed A. O. Owoade, with other members drawn from civil society, policing, law, the military and security services.
The governor has now indicated that his administration will study the findings, respond publicly to the recommendations and outline the actions to be taken to strengthen security and protect pupils, teachers and communities across Oyo State. �
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