Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured that his administration will thoroughly examine and implement appropriate recommendations contained in the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
Makinde gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the commission’s report, presented by its chairman, Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade (retd.), at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor stressed that confidentiality would not be used as an excuse to evade accountability, adding that the report would lead to concrete decisions, clear assignment of responsibilities and measurable progress.
He said the abduction had tested the security architecture his administration had built over the years, noting that the incident demanded a thorough examination of possible intelligence, administrative and operational failures.
“When we came into office, the 615 toll-free number had been approved but was not yet operational. The City Watch and Security Control Room infrastructure had also been initiated, although parts of the system were not functioning as they should,” he said.
Makinde explained that his administration subsequently operationalised the 615 emergency number, refurbished and expanded the security control room, increased its coverage and connected security agencies, including the police, Amotekun and Operation Burst, through a coordinated communication system.
He, however, acknowledged that previous security achievements could not excuse the failure to protect the victims of the Oriire attack.
“Some people will say that under this administration, we brought down the crime rate. But Oriire is part of the record. No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection,” he stated.
The governor commended the security agencies and other stakeholders involved in the rescue operation, including the Operational Coordination Centre, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services and other federal agencies.
He also appreciated the Director-General of the Department of State Services and the state directors of security in Oyo and Lagos for their contributions during the operation.
Makinde, however, maintained that rescuing the victims alone was not sufficient, insisting that the government must identify measures to prevent similar incidents and guarantee the safety of schoolchildren.
“Rescue cannot be the only measure of success. We must ask: What could have prevented the attack? What could have shortened the ordeal? What will make children safer in their schools?” he asked.
Linking the incident to his advocacy for a national security reset, the governor said the experience demonstrated the importance of establishing functional security systems that could identify lapses and ensure accountability.
He said the commission’s findings would inform decisions and reforms, adding that the safety of children must remain the yardstick for measuring the impact of subsequent actions.
Makinde also thanked the chairman and members of the commission for completing the assignment despite what he described as the politically charged atmosphere surrounding its establishment.
Earlier, Justice Owoade said the commission visited the crime scenes, inspected the affected schools and traversed surrounding bushes to obtain firsthand knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the abduction.
He disclosed that public hearings were held in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan, during which the commission received testimonies from 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders.
According to him, the report contains recommendations aimed at strengthening preventive security measures through improved intelligence gathering and cooperation among security agencies and government institutions.
Owoade explained that the recommendations covered actions for the Oyo State Government, local governments, joint federal and state authorities, as well as the Federal Government.
He particularly called for a review of the laws and management of forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which is under federal government control.
“Of particular significance is our opinion that there is a need to review the laws and management of forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which belongs to the federal government. This is essential for maintaining security,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice O.M. Olagunju; Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo; and Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, among other government officials, security chiefs, religious leaders and members of the commission.
