Citizens and eyewitnesses are being asked to provide evidence to a formal panel probing the May mass kidnap of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in the Oriire district, the Oyo State administration announced on Tuesday.
In a statement released on its official communication channel on Tuesday, the government urged individuals with relevant details to come forward before the submission deadline of Friday, 14 August 2026. The commission is seeking information regarding the abductions across affected communities, including Esinele and Yawota, alongside the security response mounted before, during, and after the attack.
The panel was instituted by Governor Seyi Makinde following the release of the victims, with the governor asserting that the severity of the incident warranted an independent probe beyond standard domestic scrutiny.
The move follows the 15 May 2026 assault in which armed gunmen raided three academic institutions in the council area, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School.
The abducted pupils and staff spent 56 days in captivity before being rescued in July through a joint security operation that Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed involved no concessions to the perpetrators.
Submissions must include the contributor’s full name, contact information, and relevant supporting documentation. The government announced that physical copies can be delivered to the Conference Room at the Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, while digital entries can be sent via email to oysjceoriireabduction@gmail.com.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding local communities, the state government expressed confidence that public contributions would help clarify the circumstances surrounding the raid and evaluate the performance of security agencies.