Morganable politics/Governance
The governor had made the call while formally assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation, and education of the rescued pupils and teachers, arguing that Nigerians deserved a full account of how the incident occurred and was resolved
kaNo —
The Senate on Tuesday cautioned Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and subsequent rescue of pupils and teachers in the state.
The National Assembly warns that such a move could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and ongoing efforts by security agencies to tackle insecurity.
The upper chamber issued the warning during plenary following its consideration of a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, which highlighted the successful rescue of 39 pupils and six teachers after 56 days in captivity and commended the sacrifices made by security personnel during the operation.
Lawmakers also lauded President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions for securing the release of the victims without the payment of ransom, describing the outcome as a major milestone in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping and terrorism.
The Senate’s position comes amid growing controversy over Governor Makinde’s remarks on Monday, in which he called for a UN-backed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
However, federal lawmakers strongly disagreed with the governor’s position, with several senators describing the call as unnecessary and potentially damaging to national security efforts.
Lawmaker Cautions Gov Makinde
Leading the criticism, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, described Makinde’s call as “unsportsmanlike” and accused him of taking partisan politics too far.
“I read it this morning in newspapers and also saw it in the electronic media that the governor of Oyo State is calling on the United Nations to probe the circumstances surrounding the kidnap and even the rescue,” Oshiomhole said.
“I thought that was unsportsmanlike. He has carried partisan politics too far, and this Senate should condemn his unguarded statement.”
Oshiomhole stressed that Nigeria is a sovereign nation capable of handling its internal security challenges without external interference.
He argued that inviting international bodies such as the United Nations to investigate local security matters could diminish the achievements of Nigerian security forces and undermine public confidence in national institutions.
“This is one case in which our armed forces have shown that, without paying ransom, even though it meant those children and adults remained in captivity for almost two months, they worked quietly to carry out the rescue operation,” he added.
The lawmaker noted that while the operation led to some casualties, it demonstrated professionalism and resilience on the part of the military and other security agencies.
“To trivialise it or suggest that the UN needs to unearth the circumstances is to question the sovereignty of our nation and downplay the achievements of the Commander-in-Chief and all the service chiefs involved,” he said.
Oshiomhole’s position was seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who also warned against statements capable of undermining national unity and the morale of security operatives.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to urge Governor Makinde to refrain from making statements that could weaken the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in addressing terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.
The lawmakers reiterated their commendation of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and other security institutions for securing the release of the victims, noting that the operation demonstrated improved coordination and operational efficiency among security agencies.
According to the Senate, the rescue operation, which culminated in the victims’ release on July 10, 2026, led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised during the mission.
The chamber also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the operation, identifying them as Lt F.A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, and Sgt Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.
Lawmakers further recognised Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain, who sustained injuries during the mission, commending his bravery and sacrifice.
Lawmakers Express Grief Over Death Of Two Victims
In addition, the Senate expressed sadness over the death of two of the abducted teachers while in captivity but described the successful rescue of the remaining victims as a significant achievement that has restored hope among Nigerians, particularly parents and school communities.
The upper chamber called on the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of statutory death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other entitlements to the families of fallen security personnel.
It also urged the government to improve the welfare, training, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to enhance their effectiveness in combating insecurity.
Lawmakers also urged security agencies to sustain ongoing efforts to secure the release of other Nigerians still being held captive across the country.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, also criticised Governor Makinde’s remarks, accusing him of politicising the abduction.
Akume, in a statement issued through his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, said President Tinubu prioritised the safe rescue of the victims through intelligence-driven operations rather than engaging in public commentary.
“We live in a society where everything is politicised. Yes, we inherited difficult situations, but we are improving by the day,” Akume said.
In an apparent reference to Makinde’s comments, he added that what was before the President was “more important than a telephone call,” underscoring the administration’s commitment to action over rhetoric.
The debate surrounding the Oyo abduction highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state actors over the management of security challenges, as well as broader concerns about transparency, accountability and national sovereignty.
While the Senate and federal officials have framed the rescue as a major success for Nigeria’s security architecture, Makinde’s call for an independent probe reflects lingering public demand for clarity on how such incidents occur and how they can be prevented in the future.
