The Senate on Tuesday rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, urging the governor to withdraw what lawmakers described as an unnecessary and politically motivated demand.
The upper chamber adopted the resolution after Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) introduced an additional prayer during consideration of a motion praising President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for securing the release of the victims after 56 days in captivity.
Oshiomhole described Makinde’s demand for an international investigation as “politics taken too far” and “unstatesmanly,” arguing that it undermined the sacrifices of security personnel involved in the rescue mission.
He urged the Senate to prevail on the Oyo governor to desist from what he called attempts to trivialise the successful operation by seeking foreign intervention.
The motion, sponsored by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by 108 senators, received overwhelming backing on the floor, with Senator Aniekan Bassey seconding it.
Lawmakers across party lines commended the military and other security agencies for the operation while urging them to intensify efforts to free other victims still being held by kidnappers across the country.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North where the abduction occurred, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the armed forces for returning the children safely, describing the rescue as a source of relief for residents. He also appealed for more educational facilities in the affected communities.
Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Tahir Monguno (Borno North) and Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina Central) called on the military to sustain the momentum by rescuing other schoolchildren and citizens still in captivity, particularly in Borno State.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) said the operation had boosted public confidence in the country’s security forces, noting that Nigerians celebrated the successful rescue as proof that difficult security challenges could be overcome.
Also contributing, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) urged National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to strengthen the inter-agency collaboration that facilitated the operation and replicate it in tackling insecurity nationwide.
Presiding over plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin subjected Oshiomhole’s additional prayer to a voice vote. Although the initial vote was inconclusive, a second vote produced a majority “ayes,” leading to the adoption of both the amendment and the substantive motion commending President Tinubu, the military and security agencies for the rescue mission