Governor Seyi Makinde on Friday explained why he called on the international community, particularly the United Nations, to probe the abduction and rescue of teachers and students of three schools in Oriire local government area of Oyo State.
Makinde said his call for a probe was not to undermine the efforts of security agencies among other stakeholders but to proffer answers to some questions.
The governor remarked at the inauguration of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the teachers and students at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The eight-member panel is chaired by retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Professor Mojeed Owoade, while Professor Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs. Ayo Obe, Engineer Ngozi Onadeko, Dr. Abimbola Orogade, retired Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu (former GOC 2 Division ) and Mr. Folorunsho Osunrayi will serve as commissioners, while Mrs. Olamide Sandra Tella will serve as the Secretary to the commission.
The Commission has one month to deliver on the task, but with an assurance of extension of time, if need arises.
Makinde remarked that he might not have been born if, in 1959, when his father, who was sent to Ahoro Dada for teacher training, had been kidnapped and perhaps beheaded.
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 teacher 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 seek to unearth the truth as a way of ensuring accountability and reform to restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence
“The abduction 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, and 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, honour 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.
