The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his request for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the proposal as unnecessary and politically driven.

The governor made the call on Monday while receiving 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, saying an independent international investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and restore public confidence.

Reacting to the demand, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said there was no justification for seeking foreign intervention, insisting that Nigerian security agencies had already provided accounts of the rescue operation.

Speaking in an interview, Onanuga said the Federal Government had no objection if the United Nations decided to examine the matter but questioned the basis for the governor’s request.

He argued that security operatives had paid a heavy price to secure the victims’ release, noting that some military personnel and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives during the operation.

According to him, it was illogical to suggest that security agencies would deliberately allow children and teachers to remain in captivity for nearly two months, describing such claims as unfounded.

Onanuga also accused Makinde, who is seeking the presidency, of allowing politics to influence his position, maintaining that the governor’s remarks reflected a lack of confidence in the country’s security institutions.

Earlier, Makinde had urged the United Nations and other international human rights organisations to investigate the abduction, saying Nigerians deserved a transparent account of what transpired and whether there were institutional failures or acts of negligence.

The governor stressed that his request was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s institutions but to ensure accountability, justice for the victims and stronger public trust in the country’s security system.

He also reminded the Federal Government that the Constitution places responsibility for national security on the Federal Government and its agencies.

Makinde announced that the Oyo State Government had assumed responsibility for the welfare of the rescued teachers and pupils, assuring that they would receive medical care, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recovered.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for their roles in securing the victims’ freedom, describing the abduction as the first of its kind since he became governor more than seven years ago.

Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations involving the military, police, the Department of State Services, Amotekun and local vigilantes.

He disclosed that two soldiers were killed while others sustained injuries during the operation, adding that sustained pressure on the abductors eventually forced them to release the victims.

One of the rescued teachers, Rachael Alamu, recounted the victims’ ordeal, saying they trekked through forests at night, endured harsh conditions and watched the abductors kill a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, to intimidate security forces.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party backed Makinde’s call for an independent investigation, saying it would help establish the truth and ensure justice for the victims.

However, the Labour Party disagreed with the governor’s position, insisting that the probe should be handled by Nigerian security agencies rather than the United Nations.

Also on Monday, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, visited the rescued teachers and pupils, commended the military and other security agencies for the successful operation and made cash donations to the victims as they continued receiving medical attention.

The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his request for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the proposal as unnecessary and politically driven.

The governor made the call on Monday while receiving 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, saying an independent international investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and restore public confidence.

Reacting to the demand, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said there was no justification for seeking foreign intervention, insisting that Nigerian security agencies had already provided accounts of the rescue operation.

Speaking in an interview, Onanuga said the Federal Government had no objection if the United Nations decided to examine the matter but questioned the basis for the governor’s request.

He argued that security operatives had paid a heavy price to secure the victims’ release, noting that some military personnel and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives during the operation.

According to him, it was illogical to suggest that security agencies would deliberately allow children and teachers to remain in captivity for nearly two months, describing such claims as unfounded.

Onanuga also accused Makinde, who is seeking the presidency, of allowing politics to influence his position, maintaining that the governor’s remarks reflected a lack of confidence in the country’s security institutions.

Earlier, Makinde had urged the United Nations and other international human rights organisations to investigate the abduction, saying Nigerians deserved a transparent account of what transpired and whether there were institutional failures or acts of negligence.

The governor stressed that his request was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s institutions but to ensure accountability, justice for the victims and stronger public trust in the country’s security system.

He also reminded the Federal Government that the Constitution places responsibility for national security on the Federal Government and its agencies.

Makinde announced that the Oyo State Government had assumed responsibility for the welfare of the rescued teachers and pupils, assuring that they would receive medical care, psychological support and educational assistance until they fully recovered.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for their roles in securing the victims’ freedom, describing the abduction as the first of its kind since he became governor more than seven years ago.

Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations involving the military, police, the Department of State Services, Amotekun and local vigilantes.

He disclosed that two soldiers were killed while others sustained injuries during the operation, adding that sustained pressure on the abductors eventually forced them to release the victims.

One of the rescued teachers, Rachael Alamu, recounted the victims’ ordeal, saying they trekked through forests at night, endured harsh conditions and watched the abductors kill a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, to intimidate security forces.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressives Party backed Makinde’s call for an independent investigation, saying it would help establish the truth and ensure justice for the victims.

However, the Labour Party disagreed with the governor’s position, insisting that the probe should be handled by Nigerian security agencies rather than the United Nations.

Also on Monday, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, visited the rescued teachers and pupils, commended the military and other security agencies for the successful operation and made cash donations to the victims as they continued receiving medical attention.