Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has revealed that he was accused of masterminding the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the allegations prompted his administration to establish a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the incident.

Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the commission at the Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the panel was set up to uncover the truth surrounding the May 15, 2026 kidnapping of students and teachers in the Esiele and Yawata communities and to address claims that the government had a hand in the incident.

According to the governor, the commission has been mandated to independently investigate the circumstances leading to the abduction, identify institutional and operational shortcomings, and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Recalling the allegations levelled against him, Makinde said, “They said I orchestrated the kidnap.”

He described the attack as more than a criminal act, stressing that it struck at the heart of children's right to education and parents' confidence in the safety of schools.

“The abduction of innocent children and their teachers was not merely an attack on the Ahoro, Esiele and Yawata communities; it was an attack on the right of every Nigerian child to learn in safety and on the confidence of every parent who sends a child to school each day,” he said.

Makinde expressed gratitude that the victims were rescued safely but maintained that the government's responsibility extended beyond their release.

“We remain grateful for the safe return of the victims, yet our duty did not end with their rescue. Rescue, of course, brings relief. We are all relieved,” he said.

The governor stressed that uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability were essential to restoring public confidence and strengthening the state's security framework.

“But truth brings closure. Accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence. And because justice is not only about punishing wrongdoing, it is about learning enough to ensure that the innocent are never again placed in harm’s way,” he added.

Makinde reiterated his administration's commitment to ensuring that the commission's findings would help improve security around schools and prevent future incidents across Oyo State.