•Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State (C) with members of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained that his call on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to investigate the abduction and rescue of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies.
The governor said the appeal was aimed at finding answers to key questions surrounding the incident, reports The Nation.
Makinde spoke today while inaugurating a Judicial Commission of Inquiry at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
He said the eight-member commission would investigate the abduction of teachers and pupils in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
The panel is chaired by retired Court of Appeal Justice, Professor Mojeed Owoade. Other members are Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs Ayo Obe, retired Engr. Ngozi Onadeko, Dr Abimbola Orogade, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, and Mr Folorunsho Osunrayi.
Mrs Olamide Sandra Tella will serve as the Commission’s secretary.
Makinde said the panel had been given one month to complete its assignment, with the possibility of an extension if necessary.
The governor recalled that he might never have been born if his father, who was sent to Ahoro Dada for teacher training in 1959, had been kidnapped and killed, underscoring the devastating impact of insecurity on families and society.
He said, “There’s a little bit of a story to this. My own father actually taught in Ahoro Dada in 1959. He was at St. Luke’s. I think they sent him out there for teachers training, so he was there. Let’s just assume that he got kidnapped and he was the one beheaded.
“I never would have been born. So, it was for this reason that I called on the international community to support an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding this incident.
“That call was never about diminishing the efforts of our security agencies whose sacrifices we acknowledge and appreciate. It was about ensuring that every lesson is learned and every question that deserves an answer is answered.”
Noting that the state remained very grateful for the safe return of the abductees, the governor described the kidnapping as 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 added that the Commission will be seek to unearth the truth as a way of ensuring accountability and reform to restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence
“The adoption of innocent children and their teachers in Oriire local government area was not merely an attack on the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota 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.
“We remain grateful for the safe return of the victims, yet our duty did not end with their rescue. Rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure.
“Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence. And because justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing, it is about learning enough to ensure that the innocent are never again placed in harm’s way.
“So, this Judicial Commission of Inquiry represents our commitment to that responsibility.
“The assignment of this commission is clear; to establish the facts, identify any institutional or operational lapses, recommend measures that will strengthen the protection of our schools and communities. And to also help ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
“I have every confidence in the distinguished men and women who have agreed to serve on this commission. And because this is also a season of politics, you have agreed to serve, knowing well that this assignment may come back to you in such a way that people may think, and probing if you are being used for anything political
“But because of your love for our state and country, you never mind. And let me say this. I called everybody one after the other and no one said no to me. So, I thank you.
“Each of you brings decades of experience, integrity, and public service. My advice is that your work must be guided only by the evidence, the law, and the public interest.
“The people of Oyo State, and indeed Nigerians, expect nothing less than an impartial, thorough, and credible process.
“I have given one month, four weeks, but feel free to come back to us if you require additional time to ensure that we did not leave any stone unturned. As a government, we will provide every support required for this commission to carry out its assignment independently and professionally.
“We also call on individuals, institutions, and relevant agencies to cooperate fully by making available any information that will assist the commission in arriving at the truth. History teaches us that societies become stronger not by pretending that difficult events never happen, but by confronting them honestly, learning from them, and building stronger institutions afterwards.
“May this Commission help strengthen public confidence, honor the residents of the victims and their families, and contribute meaningfully to improving the security of our schools and communities.
“On this note, I hereby formally inaugurate the Judicial Commission of Nigeria into the Oyo State Adoption, and wish you wisdom and success in this important assignment”, the governor noted.
Discussing his new appointment and framework of work while speaking with journalists after the inauguration, the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mojeed Owoade said Nigerians can look forward to absolute truth and nothing else.
He noted that those working with him are individuals of great experience and the highest integrity whom he has met and trusts.
When asked if the one-month timeframe would be sufficient to complete the task, he explained that an extension would be requested if it proves not to be enough.
