MAKINDE VOWS TO ACT ON ORIIRE ABDUCTION PANEL REPORT, SAYS ACCOUNTABILITY NON-NEGOTIABLE

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured residents that his administration will thoroughly review and act on the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction of students and teachers at Oriire Community in Olorunsogo Local Government Area.

Makinde gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the Commission’s report from its Chairman, Hon. Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade (retd.), at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde said confidentiality would not be allowed to shield anyone from accountability, stressing that the attack tested the security architecture put in place by his administration.

The governor recalled that when his administration assumed office, the state’s 615 toll-free security line had been approved but was not yet operational, while the City Watch and Security Control Room infrastructure was also incomplete.

He said his administration subsequently operationalised the 615 line, refurbished and expanded the control room, increased its coverage and linked the Police, Amotekun, Operation Burst and other relevant agencies through a communication system designed to improve coordination.

Makinde, however, acknowledged that the Oriire incident represented a serious failure of protection, despite previous improvements in the state’s security situation.

“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,” he said.

The governor commended the agencies and individuals involved in the rescue operation, including the Operational Coordination Centre, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services and other federal agencies.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the Director-General of the Department of State Services and the State Directors of Security in Oyo and Lagos States, who relocated to Oyo during the crisis.

Makinde stressed that the successful rescue of the victims could not be the sole measure of the security response.

“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?” he said.

He said the lessons from the incident had also informed his advocacy for a security reset at the national level, arguing that effective security required clearly defined and functional systems.

According to him, the Commission’s findings would guide decisions, responsibility allocation and further actions that could be monitored by the public.

“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,” Makinde said.

The governor thanked Justice Owoade and members of the Commission for completing the assignment despite the politically charged atmosphere surrounding its establishment.

Presenting the report, Justice Owoade said the Commission visited the crime scenes and affected schools and conducted public hearings in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan.

He disclosed that 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders, testified before the Commission.

According to Owoade, the report contains recommendations aimed at strengthening preventive security measures through improved intelligence gathering and greater cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.

He said the recommendations covered the Oyo State Government, local governments, joint Federal-State action and the Federal Government.

Owoade highlighted the need to review the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park, which is under federal ownership.

“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,” he said.

The Judicial Commission was constituted following the May 15, 2026, bandit attack on three schools in the area — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The attack resulted in the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers, including Mrs Alamu. The victims were held for 56 days within the Old Oyo National Park before regaining their freedom on July 10, 2026.

Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and Adesiyan Adegboye, died during the incident.

The report presentation was attended by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Hon. Justice O.M. Olagunju; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Biodun Aikomo.

Also present were members of the state executive council, security commanders, religious leaders, traditional and community stakeholders, members of the Judicial Commission and other government officials.