The last may not have been heard about the abduction of Oyo school children and their teachers, as the state Governor, Seyi Makinde on Monday called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to conduct full scale independent investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The governor who made the call on Monday while receiving the rescued victims who had been in captivity for 56 days at his office in Ibadan described the circumstances surrounding the abduction as, “sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.”
Makinde in a state broadcast on Monday vowed to immediately strengthen oversight of all access routes leading into and out of the Old Oyo National Park through the adjoining local government areas.
The governor said the state government would introduce appropriate measures to regulate movement in these corridors, improve community intelligence, strengthen collaboration with local communities and security agencies.
He added that government would establish clear protocols that make it more difficult for criminal elements to exploit border communities as safe passage or operational bases, saying, “Detailed implementation guidelines will be announced shortly.
“We shall introduce appropriate measures to regulate movement through these corridors, improve community intelligence, strengthen collaboration with local communities and security agencies, and establish clear protocols that make it more difficult for criminal elements to exploit our border communities as safe passage or operational bases.”
According to him, the threat posed by criminal elements has not disappeared, saying,”Experience from other parts of our country has shown that terrorist and bandit groups often seek to strike again where they perceive vulnerability.
“We must therefore not allow this moment of relief to become a moment of complacency. Security is everyone’s responsibility. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately to the appropriate security agencies.
“You may also call 615, Oyo State’s toll-free emergency line for security and other emergencies. The vigilance of our communities remains one of our greatest strengths.
“This painful experience has also compelled us to rethink how we secure communities that border the Old Oyo National Park. Under our Constitution, National Parks fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, and we respect that constitutional arrangement.
“However, constitutional limits do not diminish our responsibility to do everything within our lawful powers to protect the people of Oyo State,” the governor said.
Accordingly, he said the state government will immediately strengthen oversight of all access routes leading into and out of the Old Oyo National Park through our adjoining Local Government Areas.
“We shall introduce appropriate measures to regulate movement through these corridors, improve community intelligence, strengthen collaboration with local communities and security agencies, and establish clear protocols that make it more difficult for criminal elements to exploit our border communities as safe passage or operational bases. Detailed implementation guidelines will be announced shortly.
“Leadership is ultimately measured not only by how we respond to tragedy, but by whether we learn from it and build stronger institutions afterwards. That is the commitment we make to the people of Oyo State today.”
The governor disclosed that the reunion of children and teachers with their families did not mark the end of this painful chapter, saying “It marks the beginning of another responsibility, our collective responsibility to establish the truth.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions.
“I, therefore, with a full sense of responsibility as the executive governor of Oyo State, call on the appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system to closely examine the facts surrounding this abduction and the circumstances of its resolution.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions. Rather, it is intended to reinforce public confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence or affiliation, will be held accountable.
“Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the primary responsibility for national security rests with the federal government and the security agencies under its command.
“The Nigerian people therefore deserve a full and transparent account of what happened, who was responsible, whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion at any level, and what measures must now be taken to ensure that no community is ever subjected to such an ordeal again.
“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear”.
The governor assured parents that “your government has heard your fears. We will not relent until every lawful step has been taken to make our schools and communities safer for our children.
“As the government of Oyo State, we will continue to support every lawful effort that strengthens our security architecture, protects our people and brings every person responsible for this tragedy to justice. May Almighty God continue to watch over us.”