Senate orders Makinde: Withdraw Call for UN Probe of Oyo School Abduction

BY BONNY AMADI

Nigerian senate has asked Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, to withdraw his demand for a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso.

The resolution followed the adoption of a prayer by Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, during debate on a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the armed forces and other security agencies for rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity.

The debate of the substantive motion was sponsored by Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, and 108 senators.

It will be recalled that on Monday, Makinde called on the UN and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the pupils and teachers from educational institutions in Oriire LGA of Oyo state on May 15 and their subsequent rescue.

“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence, that truth be established, and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, would be held accountable,” Makinde said.

Oshiomhole described Makinde’s demand for UN investigation as “not statesmanlike and politics taken too far”. T

he former Edo governor urged the senate to call on Makinde to desist from “trivialising” the rescue operation by seeking an international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue.

Aniekan Bassey, senator representing Akwa Ibom north-east, seconded Oshiomhole’s motion.

Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, who presided over plenary, put Oshiomhole’s additional prayer to a voice vote.

The initial voice vote was inconclusive before Jibrin called for another vote, after which the “ayes” prevailed.

The senate subsequently adopted the additional prayer alongside the substantive motion commending Tinubu, the armed forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue operation.

OTHER SCHOOLCHILDREN STILL IN CAPTIVITY’

During the debate, Abdulfatai Buhari, senator representing Oyo north, whose district includes the area where the pupils were abducted, thanked the federal government and the military for securing the victims’ release

We give God the glory. We thank the military for a job well done. We hope this experience will be used in other areas. On behalf of my people, we appreciate the federal government and we thank them for bringing our children back,” Buhari said.

Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, urged the armed forces to intensify efforts to rescue other schoolchildren still being held by kidnappers.

“There are other school children still in captivity, especially in Borno state. I want our armed forces to double their efforts to ensure that other children are free,” he said.

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, said the successful rescue had renewed public confidence in the country’s security forces.

There is no doubt that when the news of the rescue of these children hit the airwaves, every Nigerian was very happy,” he said.

“This is the type of thing we need to be hearing. What we thought was insurmountable is now surmountable. I am very happy with this operation.