Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated an eight-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate the May 15, 2026 abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Sworn in on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Executive Council Chamber, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, the independent panel—chaired by retired justice and scholar Prof. Mojeed Owoade—has been given a four-week mandate to examine the institutional, operational, and security breaches that led to the incident.
Terms of Reference & Panel Composition
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Mandate & Scope: The commission is tasked with establishing the precise timeline of events surrounding the kidnapping, determining factors that enabled the security breach, assessing official emergency response efforts, and recommending preventive frameworks for school safety across Oyo State.
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Independent Scrutiny: Governor Makinde clarified that the inquiry is designed to establish unvarnished facts and prevent a recurrence rather than undermine federal or state security apparatuses.
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Distinguished Panel Members: Chaired by Prof. Mojeed Owoade, the panel includes prominent civil society advocates and security experts: Prof. Jibril Ibrahim, Mrs. Ayo Obe, AIG Ngozi Onadeko (retd.), Maj.-Gen. Sanusi Muazu (retd.), Mr. Abimbola Orogade, Mr. Folorunsho Osunrayi, and Mrs. Olamide Sandra Tella as Secretary.
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Context of the Incident: The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, with the victims remaining in captivity for 56 days before their release was secured on July 10 through joint security operations.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTION PROBE PANEL MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Convening Authority : Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo State Government) │
│ │
│ • Panel Chair : Prof. Mojeed Owoade │
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│ • Location & Timeline : Oriire LGA Abduction (May 15) | Panel Timeline:│
│ 4 Weeks (Inaugurated July 31, 2026) │
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│ • Key Objectives : Identify institutional lapses, examine security │
│ breaches, and establish school protection protocols.│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Oyo State Ministry of Information & Executive Council Press Unit)
“Every Question Must Be Answered”
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Makinde emphasized that while the victims’ safe return brought immense relief, a comprehensive investigation remains essential for public accountability and future deterrence:
“The decision to set up an independent panel was not to undermine security agencies but to ensure every lesson is learnt, every question is answered, and to establish facts surrounding the incident… We must ensure our schools and rural communities remain safe environments for learning and living.” — Governor Seyi Makinde
In response, Panel Chairman Prof. Mojeed Owoade assured the government and public that the commission would carry out its duties with absolute impartiality, integrity, and thoroughness.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
