By BONIFACE AKARAH

Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and African Union of Journalists (AUJ), Lanre Ogundipe, has urged Nigerians to allow the country's constitutional institutions to conclude investigations into the abduction and rescue of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State before seeking international intervention.

Ogundipe, in a statement on Tuesday, said the successful rescue of the victims should be celebrated while accountability should begin with Nigeria's legally established institutions. He commended the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes for their roles in the operation, while paying tribute to a teacher who died in captivity and security personnel killed during the rescue mission.

"The successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has brought immense relief to the nation. We thank Almighty God for preserving the lives of the victims and commend the Armed Forces, the intelligence community, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, vigilantes and all those whose professionalism, courage and sacrifice made the operation successful," Ogundipe said.

The former NUJ president noted that although public calls for accountability were understandable, investigations already underway by security agencies should be allowed to run their full course without being overshadowed by political narratives or premature conclusions.

He recalled that the Defence Headquarters had attributed the rescue to a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving multiple security and intelligence agencies over several weeks, adding that follow-up investigations were still ongoing.

"At this stage, no public evidence has been presented to demonstrate that Nigeria's constitutionally established investigative, oversight and accountability institutions are unwilling, unable or legally incapable of discharging their responsibilities in relation to this incident. It is therefore both prudent and constitutionally appropriate that these institutions be allowed to complete their work before recourse is sought to external accountability mechanisms," he stated.

Ogundipe stressed that while international cooperation remained important in democratic governance, it should complement rather than replace domestic constitutional processes.

"Constitutional democracies derive their legitimacy not by claiming perfection but by demonstrating the capacity to investigate, correct and reform themselves through institutions established by law. Confidence in those institutions is strengthened when they are allowed to function independently and without prejudice," he added.

He also called for institutional self-assessment across all levels of government, saying the Federal Government, state governments, local governments and agencies responsible for forest governance, education, intelligence, rural administration and public safety should objectively evaluate whether they discharged their responsibilities before, during and after the incident.

According to him, no institution should be shielded from lawful scrutiny or condemned without due process.

"This is not the time for partisan recrimination or political triumphalism. It is a moment for constitutional fidelity, institutional self-examination and evidence-based reforms. The rescue of the Oriìre pupils and teachers deserves national celebration. The lessons arising from their ordeal demand lasting reforms to strengthen governance, restore public confidence and prevent similar tragedies," Ogundipe said.

He maintained that the integrity of the country's response would ultimately depend on the willingness of its institutions to pursue the evidence objectively, without fear, favour or political convenience.