The Oyo State Government has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. This commission will look into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. They have invited the public to submit memoranda and evidence to help with their investigation.
The commission wants information from victims, witnesses, and anyone who knows anything about the incident. They aim to uncover what happened during the attack and suggest ways to stop similar events in the future.
In a public notice on Monday, shared on the state’s official Facebook page, the commission requested that submissions include facts, evidence, and suggestions related to the abduction of students and teachers from Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire.
According to the notice, the commission is looking for information about what happened before, during, and after the abduction. They want to know about the security situation then, how authorities responded, and any practical suggestions to improve the safety of schools and communities.
"The Commission is seeking information, facts, evidence, and materials relating to the abduction, including the circumstances surrounding the incident, the security situation before, during, and after the abduction, the response of relevant authorities, and recommendations for preventing a recurrence."
The commission said that all memoranda must include the full names and contact information of those who contribute. Supporting documents or other materials should also be added if relevant.
People can submit their memoranda in person at the Conference Room of the Office of the Head of Service at the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. They can also send documents electronically through the commission’s email. The deadline for submissions is set for 14 August 2026.
This call for public input comes three days after Governor Seyi Makinde launched the eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry. This panel is meant to find out the facts behind the abduction that shocked the local communities.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the governor created the panel to explore the attack's circumstances, identify any failures, and recommend measures to improve safety in schools and vulnerable communities.
Mr Makinde has shown doubts about the situation surrounding the abduction. He has even hinted that there may be a political angle to the incident.
But he clarified that the commission is not meant to undermine security agencies. Instead, it is to find out what really happened, learn lessons from the incident, and suggest reforms to improve public safety.
The panel is led by Mojeed Owoade, a professor, and includes Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs Ayo Obẹ, Ngozi Onadeko, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Abimbola Orogade, Sanusi Muazu, a retired major general, and Mr Folorunsho Osunrayi. Mrs Olamide Sandra will serve as secretary.
During the inauguration, the governor gave the commission four weeks to finish their work. He also said they could ask for more time if needed to ensure a thorough investigation.
The findings from this commission are expected to influence how the state responds to school security and emergency plans. This follows one of the biggest security incidents in Oyo State this year.
On 15 May, gunmen attacked three schools in Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. They abducted 39 schoolchildren and 7 teachers. Tragically, two teachers were killed during the abduction. But on 10 July, security agencies rescued the remaining victims in a joint operation.
After the rescue operation, the Nigerian government charged three men with terrorism related to the schoolchildren's abduction in Oyo. The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced the three men to life imprisonment on 23 July after finding them guilty of terrorism charges.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇