Onanuga Blasts Makinde Over UN Probe Call on Ogbomoso Abduction, Says Governor ‘Playing Politics’

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has strongly criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations (UN)-backed investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Ogbomoso, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Makinde had on Monday urged the UN and other international accountability bodies to independently investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and eventual rescue of dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers, insisting that Nigerians deserved a full account of the incident.

According to the governor, the gravity and unusual nature of the case warranted scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” Makinde stated.

The controversy stems from the May 15 attack on three schools located in the Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. During the attack, armed men abducted 39 pupils and six teachers, sparking widespread concern across the country.

The victims eventually regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated rescue operation involving the military and other security agencies.

Reacting to Makinde’s position in an interview with The Punch on Monday, Onanuga dismissed the governor’s request for an international investigation, arguing that security agencies had already provided explanations regarding the rescue mission.

“The governor has merely expressed his opinion that the UN should probe the incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he believes there is more to it than what our military has already explained,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide questioned the rationale behind the governor’s demand, insisting that there was no basis for suggestions that security agencies deliberately delayed the victims’ rescue.

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“Look at those children. Some of them are just four or six years old. Would anyone intentionally subject them to the trauma they endured for 56 days?” he asked.

Onanuga further highlighted the sacrifices made during the rescue operation, noting that personnel of the Nigerian military and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, lost their lives while working to secure the release of the captives.

He maintained that the successful operation came at a significant cost and should not be overshadowed by what he described as unfounded suspicions.

The presidential spokesman also accused Makinde, who recently declared his presidential ambition on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), of politicising a sensitive security matter.

“It is unfortunate that Mr Makinde, perhaps because of politics and because he is now a presidential candidate, appears to have lost confidence in our institutions and is calling for an external body to investigate,” Onanuga said.

Describing the governor’s call as both “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary,” Onanuga insisted that the issue was being turned into a political tool.

“The man is simply playing politics, and it is politics taken to an extreme. He wants to weaponise every available issue, including promoting a strange conspiracy theory,” he added.

The exchange has further deepened the growing disagreement between the Oyo State governor and the Presidency over the handling of the high-profile abduction case, which drew national attention and renewed concerns about insecurity and the safety of schoolchildren across Nigeria.