‘Bizarre politics,’ Presidency criticises Makinde over call for UN probe into Ogbomoso abduction

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for calling for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Ogbomoso.

Makinde had on Monday urged the UN and other international accountability organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent rescue of the victims, arguing that Nigerians deserved a comprehensive explanation of what occurred.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” the governor said.

On May 15, armed assailants attacked three schools in Yawota and Ahoro Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and six teachers.

The victims were later rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following a prolonged security operation involving different security agencies.

Reacting to Makinde’s call in an interview with The Punch on Monday, Onanuga said there was no need for an external investigation, noting that the military and other security agencies had already provided explanations about the operation.

“The governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained,” Onanuga said.

He questioned why security agencies would intentionally allow children to remain in captivity, stressing the trauma the victims endured during their 56 days with their abductors.

“Look at those kids. Some of them are just about four or six years old. Will anyone want to deliberately subject them to the trauma they went through for 56 days?” he said.

Onanuga also pointed out that the rescue operation came with sacrifices, as some military personnel and members of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, lost their lives during the mission.

The presidential aide accused Makinde, who recently declared his presidential ambition on the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) platform, of introducing political considerations into the matter.

“It is just unfortunate that Mr Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn’t have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate,” he said.

Onanuga described the governor’s demand as “unwarranted” and “absolutely unnecessary”, accusing him of attempting to turn the issue into a political tool.

“The man is just playing politics, and it is the politics of the bizarre. He wants to weaponise anything available, including dredging up a strange conspiracy theory,” he added.