Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has received the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the May 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, promising to examine its recommendations and take necessary policy actions.
Makinde received the report on Tuesday from the commission’s chairman, retired Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade, at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The commission was established after the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in the Esinele and Yawota communities.
The victims were later rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, while two teachers died during the ordeal.
Makinde said the incident tested the security architecture developed by his administration despite measures introduced to improve emergency response.
The governor said the state had operationalised the 615 emergency line, expanded its security control room and established communication links among the police, Amotekun Corps, Operation Burst and other security services.
He, however, said the eventual rescue of the victims could not be the only measure used to assess the response to the attack.
“Rescue cannot be the only measure of success,” Makinde said, adding that authorities must determine what could have prevented the attack, shortened the victims’ ordeal and made schools safer.
The governor also promised that confidentiality would not be used to avoid accountability.
He said the state would carefully examine the commission’s recommendations, publicly respond to them and take decisions that would improve security.
Presenting the report, Owoade said the commission conducted field inspections and public hearings in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan.
He said the panel heard from 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders.
According to Owoade, the report contains recommendations for the Oyo State Government, local governments, joint Federal-State action and the Federal Government.
One of the major recommendations highlighted by the chairman is a review of the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park.
Owoade said the review was necessary to strengthen security, intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.
The commission was inaugurated by Makinde on July 31, 2026, with a mandate to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction, examine available intelligence and institutional responses, identify possible operational failures and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
Makinde said the report would lead to decisions, assignment of responsibilities and changes that could be monitored by the public.
He also commended security agencies, hunters, vigilantes, military and police personnel, intelligence services and other federal agencies involved in the rescue operation.
