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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The governor made the appeal on Monday during a statewide broadcast shortly after receiving the rescued victims at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.

Naijapunchnews reports that the schoolchildren and their teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, before regaining their freedom after spending several weeks in captivity.

Their rescue followed a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS).

While expressing gratitude for the safe return of the victims, Makinde said several questions surrounding the incident and its resolution required independent scrutiny.

According to him, the seriousness of the abduction and the circumstances under which it occurred warrant international attention to ensure that the full facts are established and accountability is upheld.

The governor stressed that his call for an international investigation was not aimed at discrediting Nigeria’s security institutions but rather at strengthening public confidence through transparency.

“I, therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, call on the appropriate international human rights organisations and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and the circumstances of its resolution,” Makinde said.

He added:

“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence, that truth be established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, would be held accountable.”

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safety of residents and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers has been widely welcomed across the country, with many Nigerians commending the security agencies involved while also calling for a full account of how the operation was carried out and those responsible for the abduction to be brought to justice.

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The principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Alamu Folawe, has recounted the experience she and other abducted teachers and pupils endured in captivity.

She disclosed that the kidnappers deliberately killed two of their colleagues to pressure the government while leaving the survivors with lasting emotional scars.

Folawe spoke on Monday during the official handover of the rescued victims to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde by the Army.

She described their time in captivity as a harrowing experience marked by fear, uncertainty, and the constant threat of death.

“We’re grateful to God. On May 15, a Friday that started well ended in chaos for us, and for 56 days we were in the bush. It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot,” she said.

The principal said the abductors repeatedly used fear and psychological intimidation to weaken the captives, telling them that the government had abandoned them and no longer cared about their fate.

“A relief to us is that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At one point they told us the government wasn’t interested in our case anymore because they didn’t value us. But there were times we held on to hope that we would come out alive,” she recalled

She revealed that the kidnappers executed two captives in an attempt to force the government’s hand.

“Mr. Michael was killed on the second day, while Deacon was killed on the first Sunday in June. They killed them purposely because they felt that would force the government to give them whatever they wanted,” she said.

“It was until we got out that we discovered the whole world was on our case. We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies involved in the rescue operation and Nigerians whose prayers and support sustained hope throughout their captivity.

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The Nigerian Army has officially handed over the teachers and pupils rescued from captivity in Oyo State to Governor Seyi Makinde.

The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, where the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Chinedu Nnebeufe, personally presented the rescued victims to the governor.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and spent more than 50 days in captivity before regaining their freedom.

They were rescued on July 12 following an extensive security operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The operation, which lasted several weeks, reportedly targeted the kidnappers’ network, logistics channels and hideouts before the victims were eventually freed.

Receiving the rescued teachers and pupils, Governor Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the safe release of the victims.

The successful rescue has been widely welcomed by Nigerians, with many commending the coordinated operation while urging security agencies to sustain efforts aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.