The Oyo State House of Assembly has backed Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction of pupils and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The assembly, in a statement by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said a probe by international organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and other global human rights bodies would help to establish facts, strengthen security architecture and prevent future occurrences of mass abduction.

“Mass abduction of schoolchildren has become a disturbing pattern in Nigeria. If our collective efforts as a country have not been sufficient to end this menace, it is only appropriate to invite the relevant agency of the United Nations to investigate the unusual circumstances surrounding the Oyo State case and make recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence. Enough is enough,” Mr Ogundoyin said.

The lawmaker cautioned the public and the Nigerian Senate against misinterpreting the purpose of the state governor’s call for an international investigation.

He said Mr Makinde’s move should be seen as an effort to achieve transparency and to tackle terrorism and attacks on schools.

“Governor Makinde’s call should not be misinterpreted, but rather it should be seen as a patriotic appeal for greater transparency, accountability and international collaboration in addressing the growing menace of terrorism and mass school abductions,” he said.

Mr Ogundoyin stressed that the call was not intended to undermine the efforts of the federal government, security agencies, and other stakeholders who played different roles in rescuing the victims.

He said, “The governor had consistently commended President Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps and other security stakeholders for their coordinated efforts that culminated in the successful rescue of the victims after weeks in captivity.

“The call for an independent international investigation is neither an indictment of the federal government nor a criticism of our gallant security agencies.

“Commending the efforts of our security agencies and seeking a transparent review of the incident are not mutually exclusive.”

On Monday, the Peoples Gazette reported that Mr Makinde called on global rights bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state.

The governor said the probe would establish the truth, identify lapses during the incident, and prevent a recurrence.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grey 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 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,” Mr Makinde said.