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Senate accuses Governor Seyi Makinde of politicising Nigeria’s security challenges over his call for a UN probe into the Oyo school abduction.
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Lawmakers caution the governor against statements capable of undermining ongoing counter-terrorism operations and reject international intervention.
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Senate commends President Tinubu and security agencies for rescuing 46 abducted pupils and teachers after 56 days, while honouring fallen personnel.
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Presidency insists Makinde’s call for a UN investigation is unnecessary and politically motivated, saying Nigeria’s institutions are capable of handling the probe.
July 14, (THEWILL) — The Senate on Tuesday accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of politicising Nigeria’s security challenges.
It also rejected his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, and cautioned him against making statements capable of undermining the Federal Government’s ongoing fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
The upper legislative chamber insisted that the abduction was a domestic security matter that should be investigated by Nigerian authorities, warning that internationalising the incident could diminish public confidence in the country’s security institutions and the sacrifices made by personnel who participated in the rescue mission.
These were part of the resolutions reached after considering a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers and the sacrifices made by security personnel during the operation.
THEWILL reports that the Senate’s resolution came barely 24 hours after the Presidency similarly faulted Makinde’s request for an international probe, describing it as unnecessary and politically motivated.
The rescued victims, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were abducted by heavily armed terrorists on May 15, 2026, and spent 56 days in captivity before regaining their freedom on July 10 through a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.
Makinde Calls For International Investigation
Governor Makinde had, on Monday, while receiving the rescued pupils and teachers formally handed over to the Oyo State Government by the Federal Government, argued that the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the rescue operation warranted independent international scrutiny.
“I therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, call on the appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and the circumstances of its resolution,” the governor said.
Makinde insisted that the request was not intended to discredit Nigerian institutions but to strengthen public confidence through transparency and accountability.
He argued that Nigerians deserved a comprehensive account of the incident, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence, or collusion, as well as the steps required to prevent future attacks on schools.
“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear,” he stated.
Senate Rejects UN Probe, Warns Makinde
During plenary on Tuesday, the Senate cautioned the Oyo Governor against escalating Nigeria’s domestic security challenge to the international community.
In a point of order raised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, the former Edo Governor argued that Makinde’s proposal amounted to politicising the country’s security challenges and undermining the sacrifices of the military and other security agencies involved in rescuing the victims.
He maintained that inviting foreign organisations to investigate the incident could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and project the country as incapable of managing its internal security affairs.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved that Governor Makinde should allow the appropriate national authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction instead of seeking international intervention.
Lawmakers applauded President Tinubu for providing the leadership that culminated in the successful rescue of the victims after nearly two months in captivity.
They also commended the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, Amotekun Corps, and other security institutions for demonstrating professionalism, operational efficiency, and effective inter-agency collaboration throughout the rescue operation.
According to the Senate, the operation resulted not only in the safe rescue of the victims but also in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised.
The lawmakers described the outcome as another demonstration of the improving capacity of Nigeria’s security agencies to confront terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes through coordinated intelligence-led operations.
While celebrating the successful rescue mission, the Senate acknowledged that the operation came at a high cost.
The chamber paid tribute to Lieutenant F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, who lost their lives during the rescue operation.
The lawmakers also recognised Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain, who sustained injuries while participating in the mission.
The Senate equally expressed sadness over the death of one of the abducted teachers while in captivity, describing the loss as heartbreaking despite the eventual rescue of the remaining victims.
In honour of the fallen personnel, the Senate urged the Federal Government to ensure the immediate payment of all statutory death benefits, pensions, insurance claims, and other entitlements due to their families.
Call For Stronger Security Operations
The Senate further urged the Federal Government to sustain the ongoing military offensive against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal groups across the country.
It called for increased investment in modern military hardware, surveillance technology, intelligence gathering, logistics support, and improved welfare packages for members of the Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies.
The lawmakers also appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of other Nigerians still being held hostage in different parts of the country.
Presidency: UN Probe Call Politically Motivated
Responding on Monday, the Presidency dismissed the governor’s proposal as unnecessary.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that although the Federal Government had nothing to hide if the United Nations wished to examine the incident, there was no justification for such a request.
“The governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” Onanuga said.
He questioned the suggestion that security agencies deliberately prolonged the victims’ captivity, noting that no responsible institution would intentionally expose children to such trauma.
According to him, the rescue mission claimed the lives of soldiers and members of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), while one of the abducted teachers was also killed in captivity.
“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” he asked.
Onanuga further accused Makinde, whom he described as a presidential aspirant, of allowing politics to shape his position.
“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” he said.
He described the governor’s demand as “absolutely unnecessary” and accused him of attempting to weaponise a tragic national security incident for political purposes.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
