Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday assured the public that his administration would thoroughly examine the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate the abduction of students and teachers at Oriire Community in Olorunsogo Local Government Area.
The governor also emphasised that confidentiality would not be used as an excuse to avoid accountability.
Makinde gave the assurance while receiving the commission’s report from its Chairman, Hon. Justice (Prof.) Mojeed Owoade (rtd), at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The governor said the Oriire attack tested the security architecture his administration had built over the years.
“When we came into office, the 615 toll free number had been approved but was not yet operational. The City Watch and Security Control Room infrastructure had also been initiated, although parts of the system were not functioning as they should.
“We operationalized the 615, refurbished and expanded the control room, expanded its coverage, and connected the Police, Amotekun, Operation Burst, and other relevant services through a communication system that helped them coordinate a response,” he said.
Makinde said the incident must remain part of his administration’s security record despite what he described as earlier progress in reducing crime.
“Some people will say that under this administration, we brought down the crime rate. But Oriire is part of the record. No responsible government can point to earlier progress and ask families to overlook a grave failure of protection,” he said.
The governor praised those involved in the rescue operation, including the Operational Coordination Center, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services and other federal agencies.
“We can never diminish the effort of those who contributed — the Operational Coordination Center, Amotekun personnel, hunters, vigilantes, the military, police, intelligence services, and other federal agencies. I must also thank the DG DSS and the State Directors of Security in Oyo and Lagos States who relocated to Oyo during this period,” he said.
Makinde, however, stressed that the rescue operation alone could not be considered sufficient.
“Rescue cannot be the only measure of success. We must ask: What could have prevented the attack? What could have shortened the ordeal? What will make children safer in their schools?”
Linking the lessons from the incident to his advocacy for changes to Nigeria’s security system, Makinde said the country needed structures that could identify institutional failures and provide accountability.
“This is why, at the national level, I have discussed a security reset for Nigeria. We must have distinct systems. The reason we could ask the commission to see where there may have been failure is because we have a system — so we can point to where it broke. Nigeria must also have a working system.
“This commission’s report will lead to decisions, assigning responsibilities, and progress that the public can follow. Our children’s safety must be the test of what changes,” he said.
Explaining the establishment of the commission, Makinde said: “We established this Judicial Commission of Inquiry to examine how the attack occurred, what information was available, how institutions responded, whether there were intelligence, administrative, or operational failures, and what must change to prevent another such tragedy.”
The governor thanked the chairman and members of the commission for completing the assignment despite what he described as the politically charged atmosphere surrounding its establishment.
Presenting the report, Owoade said the commission visited the scenes of the crime, inspected the affected schools and went through surrounding bushes to gain first-hand knowledge of what happened.
“We held public hearings in Ikoyi Ile, Ogbomoso, and Ibadan. On the whole, we took 72 witnesses, including victims, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, individuals, experts, and other stakeholders,” he said.
Owoade said the report was aimed at strengthening preventive security measures through improved intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and government institutions.
He explained that the commission made recommendations for the Oyo State Government, local governments, joint federal-state action and the Federal Government.
Highlighting one of the recommendations, Owoade called for a review of the laws and management of forest reserves, particularly the Old Oyo National Park.
“Of particular significance is our opinion that there is a need to review the laws and management of forest reserves, especially the Old Oyo National Park, which belongs to the federal government. This is essential for maintaining security,” he said.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; senior government officials; security commanders; religious leaders and members of the commission.
Kemi Olaitan
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