. As HURIWA insists on foreign probe
. Family of slain teacher demands body for proper burial
The Nigerian Senate has rejected calls by Governor Seyi Makinde for international agencies such as the United Nations (UN) to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State.
The Senate on Tuesday said the matter is an internal security affair that should be handled within Nigeria.
The lawmakers cautioned that such calls could undermine ongoing efforts by the federal government and security agencies in tackling terrorism and kidnapping.
The Senate’s declaration follows calls by Governor Makinde for the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organizations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
He made the call on Monday during a broadcast shortly after receiving the rescued pupils and teachers at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
The victims were abducted on May 15 before regaining their freedom after several weeks in captivity.
However, the Senate on Tuesday, during its plenary, resolved that the governor should desist from escalating internal security challenges to the international community.
The position of the upper chamber followed a point raised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused the governor of politicising the country’s security challenges.
Oshiomhole argued that Makinde’s call for a UN-backed investigation amounted to an attempt to undermine the efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies and compromise the country’s sovereignty.
The Senate subsequently urged the Oyo State governor to allow relevant national authorities to handle investigations into the abduction and the circumstances surrounding the prolonged captivity of the pupils and teachers.
The Senate also commended President Tinubu and the nation’s security forces for ensuring the release of the abducted children and teachers after over fifty days in captivity following the abduction by heavily armed terrorists on May 15, 2026.
In addition, the Senate urged the federal government to sustain and intensify military and intelligence operations against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups through the provision of modern equipment, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence capabilities, better logistics and enhanced welfare packages for security personnel.
However, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as the Presidency’s desperate attempt to discredit Governor Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers.
The body notes, “Rather than vilifying Governor Makinde, the Federal Government should embrace transparency by inviting the United Nations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other internationally respected investigative bodies to independently examine every aspect of the horrifying 56-day captivity and the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation.
“If the Federal Government has nothing to hide, why is it uncomfortable with an independent investigation?
“If security agencies have given Nigerians the full story, why the hostility towards international scrutiny?
“Democracy thrives on accountability, not official propaganda.
“HURIWA finds it curious that instead of welcoming an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga chose to attack Governor Makinde for demanding answers to questions that millions of Nigerians are already asking.”
Furthermore, the family of Michael Oyedokun, one of the two teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to recover his remains for a befitting burial.
The appeal was contained in an open letter jointly signed by the Oyedokun family addressed to the President on Tuesday.
In the letter, the family expressed appreciation to Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.
The family, however, said its grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had yet to be recovered.
“We sincerely thank Your Excellency for the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and intelligence agencies whose dedication and sacrifice led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims in Oyo State.
“The safe return of these victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and liberty of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful,” the letter read.
While acknowledging the successful rescue operation, the family noted that, unlike other families reunited with their loved ones, it was still mourning the loss of Oyedokun, whose remains have not been found.
“Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity. Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for a dignified burial in accordance with our faith, traditions, and values.
“The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves. We continue to live with the pain of not knowing where he rests, unable to perform the final rites that would honour his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” the family stated.
The family appealed to Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the slain teacher’s remains.
“Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal that you direct the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the remains of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun.
“We are confident that the same resolve which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family.”
The family added that recovering Oyedokun’s remains would restore dignity to his memory and allow them to begin the healing process.
“Recovering his remains is more than a humanitarian act; it is a solemn obligation that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian life. It would demonstrate that no citizen is forgotten, abandoned, or denied dignity, even in death.
“We earnestly hope this appeal will receive your compassionate and urgent consideration, so that we may finally lay our beloved husband, father, brother, and son to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the letter added.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has rescued an abducted headteacher, Owoade Matthew, following a coordinated operation with other security agencies, less than 24 hours after he was kidnapped along the Igbojaye-Budo Aare bush road in Oyo State.
Matthew, who is also a farmer, was abducted on Saturday, July 12, 2026, prompting an immediate security response by the police and other agencies to secure his safe release and apprehend those responsible for the crime.
Confirming the development in a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said sustained investigative efforts and intense operational pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon the victim on Monday evening.
According to the command, the successful rescue resulted from a coordinated operation involving officers of the Oyo State Police Command and other security agencies, whose intelligence-driven efforts led to the victim’s recovery without the payment of a ransom.
Following his rescue, Mathew was taken to a medical facility for evaluation and necessary treatment to assess his condition after the ordeal. The police said he would also be debriefed by investigators after receiving medical attention to provide information that could assist in tracking down the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, commended the professionalism, courage and dedication of officers and other security personnel involved in the rescue operation. He also appreciated community members whose timely information and cooperation contributed to the mission’s success.
The commissioner reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, stressing that criminal elements would not be allowed to operate freely or establish safe havens in Oyo. He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
The command further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that public cooperation remains vital in combating crime. It advised members of the public to report suspicious activities through the Oyo State Emergency Response toll-free line, 615, or the Police Command Control Room numbers 08081768614 and 07055495413.
