RismadarVoice Reporters
September 29, 2026
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for intensified efforts to secure the release of more than 40 children abducted in Borno State who have reportedly spent 137 days in captivity.
Makinde made the call on Tuesday while receiving the report of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry established to investigate the May 15, 2026 abduction involving students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor said the commission’s findings would guide government decisions and the assignment of responsibilities arising from the incident.
He said residents would also be able to monitor the implementation of measures recommended following the inquiry.
According to Makinde, the effectiveness of the government’s response should ultimately be measured by whether children and other vulnerable people are safer.
The governor urged residents and other Nigerians who followed the inquiry to consider the evidence presented to the commission, the circumstances surrounding the attack and the actions taken by the government before and after the incident.
Makinde said the government’s response should be assessed against the full record of events and reforms introduced following the commission’s findings.
He also drew attention to the children abducted in Borno State on the same day as the Oriire incident, calling for renewed efforts to secure their release.
“Let me end this remark by calling for intensified efforts to rescue the over 40 children kidnapped in Borno State on the same day as the Oriire abduction, who remain in captivity 137 days later,” Makinde said.
He stressed that Nigerian children should be able to receive an education without fearing for their safety, irrespective of where they live.
“No Nigerian child, irrespective of what corner of Nigeria they may be located, should have to fear for their life because they are trying to get educated,” he said.
Makinde commended members of the judicial commission and other stakeholders involved in the inquiry and called for sustained measures to strengthen security around schools and communities.
The May 15 incident in Oriire occurred on the same day as the reported abduction of dozens of children in Borno State.
More than four months later, concerns remain over the children still reported to be in captivity, prompting renewed calls for efforts to secure their release.
