Oyo ∆bduction: 72 witnesses testify as panel submits report
Oyo abduction: 72 witnesses testify as panel submits report
A Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Oyo State Government to investigate the May 15, 2026, abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers took evidence from 72 witnesses before submitting its report.
The chairman of the commission, Justice Mojeed Owoade (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the report to Governor Seyi Makinde at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Owoade said the commission visited the scenes of the attack and affected schools and held public hearings in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan as part of its investigation.
He said the witnesses included victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders, adding that the report contained recommendations aimed at strengthening preventive security measures and improving intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies and government institutions.
He said: “We visited the scenes of the crime, inspected the affected schools, and went through the bushes to have first-hand knowledge of what actually happened on that fateful day.
“We held public hearings in Ikoyi Ile, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan. On the whole, we took 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, individuals, experts, and other stakeholders.
“We produced a report aimed at strengthening preventive security measures for the future through improved intelligence gathering and necessary cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.”
Highlighting a major recommendation, he said, “Of particular significance is our opinion that there is a need to review the laws and management of forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which belongs to the Federal Government.
This is essential for maintaining security.”
Receiving the report, Makinde said the recommendations would guide government decisions and the assignment of responsibilities, stressing that the safety of children must be the test of the changes to be implemented.
Makinde assured the public that his administration would thoroughly examine the recommendations of the commission, adding that confidentiality would not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made available to journalists in Ibadan, the governor noted that the Oriire attack tested the security architecture his administration had built over the years.
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He said: “When we came into office, the 615 toll-free number had been approved but was not yet operational. The City Watch and Security Control Room infrastructure had also been initiated, although parts of the system were not functioning as they should.
“We operationalised the 615, refurbished and expanded the control room, expanded its coverage, and connected the Police, Amotekun, Operation Burst, and other relevant services through a communication system that helped them coordinate a response.”
He added: “Some people will say that under this administration, we brought down the crime rate. But Oriire is part of the record. No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection.”
Makinde praised those involved in the rescue operation: “We can never diminish the effort of those who contributed — the Operational Coordination Centre, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services, and other federal agencies. I must also thank the DG DSS and the State Directors of Security in Oyo and Lagos states who relocated to Oyo during this period.”
He emphasised that rescue alone was not enough.
“Rescue cannot be the only measure of success. We must ask: What could have prevented the attack? What could have shortened the ordeal? What will make children safer in their schools?”
Linking the lessons to his national advocacy, Makinde said, “This is why, at the national level, I have discussed a security reset for Nigeria. We must have distinct systems. The reason we could ask the commission to see where there may have been failure is that we have a system — so we can point to where it broke. Nigeria must also have a working system.”
He added, “This commission’s report will lead to decisions, assigning responsibilities, and progress that the public can follow. Our children’s safety must be the test of what changes.”
The governor explained why the judicial commission of inquiry was established.
“We established this judicial commission of inquiry to examine how the attack occurred, what information was available, how institutions responded, whether there were intelligence, administrative, or operational failures, and what must change to prevent another such tragedy,” he said.
The governor expressed deep appreciation to the commission, saying, “Let me specially, from the bottom of my heart, thank the chairperson and members of the commission for undertaking this difficult assignment.
“When it was set up, it was in a politically charged atmosphere. But you took on the assignment and saw it through to a logical conclusion. I say thank you on behalf of myself, the government, and the people of Oyo State.”
He urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians who had followed the process to examine the evidence presented by the commission and the government’s actions before, during and after the attack.
“To the people of Oyo State and to Nigerians who have been following this process, I make this request.
“Please examine the evidence, examine what we did before, what happened when the attack came, what this commission has found, and what we do in response.
“And judge us by that full record and hold us to the changes we promise,” he said.
Additionally, Makinde called on the Federal Government to do all within its powers to secure the release of 40 schoolchildren who were kidnapped in Borno State the same day as the Oriire abduction, and are still in captivity for more than 110 days.
“I am calling on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue the 40 schoolchildren abducted in Borno State the same day as the Oriire abduction who have remained in captivity for over 110 days,” the Allied People’s Movement presidential candidate said.
He said children across the country should be able to attend school without fearing for their lives.
“No Nigerian child, irrespective of what corner of Nigeria they may be located, should have to fear for their life because they are trying to get educated,” Makinde said.
The Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, commended the chairman and members of the panel for their service and commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“I commend the chairman and members of the panel for their service and commitment to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Oyo State House of Assembly will continue to give priority to legislation and other legislative interventions that will strengthen security, protect our schools and communities, and enhance the safety of residents across the state.
“The lessons from this incident must translate into stronger systems and concrete actions to prevent a recurrence,” Ogundoyin said.
The commission was constituted following the May 15, 2026 bandits’ attack on three schools – Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School- all in Oriire Local Government.
The incident led to the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers, including Mrs Alamu, the principal.
The victims were held in custody by their abductors for 56 days within the Old Oyo National Park before gaining freedom on July 10, 2026.
Sadly, two teachers at the schools, Michael Oyedokun and Adesiyan Adegboye, were lost in the incident.
