According to a Vanguard report published on Friday, July 31, 2026, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said the decision to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction of students and teachers in the Esiele and Yawata communities of Oriire Local Government Area was intended to uncover the truth behind the incident and restore public confidence after allegations linked him to the kidnapping.
The governor made the remarks during the inauguration of the commission at the Executive Council Chamber in the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He explained that the panel had been constituted to independently investigate the events surrounding the May 15, 2026 abduction and ensure that every aspect of the incident was thoroughly examined.
Makinde stated that the commission had been given the responsibility of establishing the circumstances that led to the kidnapping, identifying any institutional or operational weaknesses that may have contributed to the incident, and recommending effective measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
He emphasized that the inquiry would be conducted independently without interference from the government, stressing that its findings would be based entirely on facts and evidence. According to him, the transparent investigation is expected to help rebuild public trust and reassure residents that justice will be served.
The governor also disclosed that the abduction had generated political controversy, with some individuals accusing his administration of orchestrating the kidnapping. He said those allegations made it necessary to set up an impartial commission capable of establishing the truth and addressing public concerns.
Makinde maintained that the commission would carefully examine every detail of the case, identify any failures or lapses where necessary, and recommend measures to strengthen the security of schools and communities across the state.
Speaking on the allegations against him, the governor said, “They said I orchestrated the kidnap. The abduction of innocent children and their teachers was not merely an attack on the Ahoro, Esiele and Yawata communities.”
He further added, “It was an attack on the right of every Nigerian child to learn in safety and on the confidence of every parent who sends a child to school each day…See_More
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