OYO ABDUCTIONS: PANEL COMMENCES PROBE, SEEKS PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Oyo State Government has invited members of the public to submit memoranda to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The government disclosed this in a statement posted on its official handle on Tuesday, stating that the commission was seeking relevant information about the abduction in Esinele and Yawota communities, as well as the security response before, during and after the incident.

“The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire abduction is calling for public memoranda,” the statement said.

The deadline for submitting memoranda is Friday, August 14, 2026.

The state government urged individuals with relevant information about the incident to come forward, noting that their contributions could assist the commission in establishing the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

According to the statement, submissions must include the contributor’s full name and contact details, alongside any supporting documents relevant to the information provided.

Members of the public can submit their memoranda physically at the Conference Room, Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Electronic submissions can also be made through oysjceoriireabduction@gmail.com.

The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, sparked widespread concern across the state after armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected institutions were Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School.

The attack resulted in the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers, who spent 56 days in captivity before they were rescued in July.

The rescue was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said security agencies recovered the victims without paying any ransom or making concessions to the abductors.

Following the victims’ release, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction, describing the incident as serious enough to warrant scrutiny beyond domestic institutions.

The state government said the inquiry was aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and examining the security response before, during and after the abduction.

“The Oyo State Government remains committed to the safety of every community,” the statement added.