By Stephen Simon
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has received the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the abduction of pupils and teachers at Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
Makinde received the report on Tuesday from the chairman of the commission, retired Justice Mojeed Owoade, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. The governor pledged to examine the recommendations and take action, stressing that confidentiality would not be used to avoid accountability.
The commission was established following the May 15, 2026 abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire. The victims were held for 56 days in the Old Oyo National Park before they were released on July 10.
Two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and Adesiyan Adegboye, were killed during the incident, which generated widespread concern over the security of schools and surrounding communities.
Presenting the report, Justice Owoade said the commission visited the crime scenes, inspected the affected schools and held public hearings in Ikoyi-Ile, Ogbomoso and Ibadan. He said 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, experts and other stakeholders, testified before the panel.
Among its recommendations, the commission called for improved intelligence gathering and greater cooperation among security agencies and government institutions. It also recommended a review of the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park.
Makinde said the report would guide decisions on assigning responsibilities and strengthening security measures, adding that the safety of children must remain a key measure of the effectiveness of any security reforms.
