The Oyo State Government has constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, which occurred on May 15, 2026.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry will be inaugurated on Friday at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ibadan.
According to the commissioner, the panel has been mandated to unravel the circumstances surrounding the abduction and make appropriate recommendations to the government.
Oyelade recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde, in his statewide broadcast following the release of the abducted students and teachers, had pledged to establish an independent inquiry into the incident.
He added that the governor also called on the United Nations to participate in investigating the kidnapping, which lasted 56 days before the victims regained their freedom.
The commissioner explained that the establishment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry underscores the state government’s determination to uncover the facts behind the incident, ensure accountability where necessary, and strengthen measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
The abduction of the students and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities drew national attention and heightened concerns over security in parts of Oyo State, prompting intensified rescue efforts by security agencies before the victims were eventually freed after 56 days.
The inauguration of the inquiry panel is expected to mark the beginning of a comprehensive investigation into one of the state’s most significant security incidents in recent times.
