By DAVID ADEOYE

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said his call on the United Nations to investigate the May 15 abduction of school children and their teachers in Oriire LGA was not to diminish the efforts of security agencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 44 teachers and children kidnapped in three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire LGA were released on July 10 after 56 days in captivity.

The release of the victims by the kidnappers followed heavy pressure mounted on them by operatives of security agencies including the army, Police, Department of State Security (DSS) Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and others.

Two teachers as well as some security personnel however lost their lives during the incident.

Speaking on Friday in Ibadan at the inauguration of an 8-man Judicial Conmission of Inquiry into the Abduction, Makinde said that accountability and reform restore public confidence and help prevent a recurrence.

He maintained that the call was about “ensuring that every lesson is learnt, and every question that deserves an answer is answered.

“So it was for this reason that I called on the international community to support an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident,” he said.

Makinde added that government’s duty did not end with the victims’ rescue, “though rescue brings relief, but truth brings closure.

“This judicial commission of inquiry represents our commitment to that responsibility,” he said.

The governor explained that the assignment of the commission was to establish the facts, identify any institutional or operational lapses, and recommend measures that will strengthen the protection of schools and communities.

“And help to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he said.

Makinde charged all members of the commission to bring their decades of experience, integrity, and public service to bear on the assignment before them.

He also advised them to let their work “be guided only by the evidence, the law, and the public interest.

“The people of our state, and indeed Nigerians, expect nothing less than an impartial, credible process,” he said.

The governor, who gave the commission four weeks to complete the assignment, urged members to feel free to come back to him if they require additional time to ensure that “no stone is left unturned.”

He promised to provide every support required for the commission to carry out its assignment independently and professionally.

Makinde also called on individuals, institutions, and relevant agencies to cooperate fully by making available any information that would assist the commission in arriving at the truth.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inauguration, the chairman of the commission, retired Justice Mojeed Owoade, pledged that the commission would carry out the assignment with all sense of responsibility.

Owoade added that transparency and diligence to uncover the truth would be the commission’s watchwords.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the commission are Prof. Jubril Ibrahim; Mrs Ayo Obe; Mrs Ngozi Onadeko; retired Maj. Gen. Sanusi Muazu; Mr Folorunso Osunrayi; and Mrs Olamide Tella as the commission’s secretary. (Text, excluding headline: NAN)

•PHOTO: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde (middle); with the Members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Abduction of Students and Teachers at Esinele and Yawota Communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, from left are, Prof Jibril Ibrahim; AIG Abimbola Onadeko (rtd); Deputy Governor, Barr Bayo Lawal; Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mojeed Owoade; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Major General Sanusi Nasir Muazu (rtd) and Mr Abimbola Orogade, during the inauguration of the Judicial Commission, held at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.