Sola Abegunde Writes Oyo Judicial Commission of Inquiry Panel, Seeks Answers on Oriire Abduction, Security Operations

By Foresight Media

Ibadan, Oyo State — August 13, 2026

A social commentator and community stakeholder, Sola Abegunde, has submitted a memorandum to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the abduction of students and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, demanding comprehensive answers on the circumstances surrounding the incident, the rescue operation and the state’s broader security architecture.

In the memorandum dated August 4, 2026, Abegunde urged the Commission to examine what he described as “critical unanswered questions” surrounding the May 15 abduction, which resulted in the kidnap of nearly 50 students and teachers.

The victims were reportedly held for 56 days before security agencies rescued the surviving abductees.

Abegunde’s submission raises questions about the preparedness of security agencies before the attack, the handling of intelligence reportedly available to government authorities, the conduct of the rescue operation and statements made by political office holders during the period of captivity.

A major issue highlighted in the memorandum is the statement attributed to the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, concerning alleged demands made by the abductors while the victims were in captivity.

According to Abegunde, the Speaker had informed the House that the abductors made demands, including an alleged payment into a bank account in a neighbouring country and the purported allocation of territory for their operations within Oyo State.

Abegunde noted that the alleged kidnappers subsequently denied those claims through a video made public during the period of captivity, arguing that the conflicting accounts warranted further investigation.
He therefore asked the Commission to establish how the Speaker obtained the information concerning the alleged demands, whether the information was sourced from security agencies and whether making such information public could have had any implications for ongoing security operations.

Questions over prior warnings
The memorandum also draws attention to an alleged warning raised since 2022 by the member representing Oriire State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly concerning suspicious movements around forests in the area.

Abegunde challenged the Commission to establish what action, if any, was taken by the state government in response to the reported warning.

He argued that determining whether prior intelligence was properly acted upon would be essential to understanding whether the attack could have been prevented or mitigated.

The memorandum further asks the Commission to examine the deployment of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, during the crisis, including the number of personnel deployed, their roles, available firearms and ammunition, mobility and coordination with other security agencies.

Security agencies and constitutional limitations
Another central concern raised by Abegunde is whether the Judicial Commission can effectively investigate a security incident without the full participation of security agencies involved in the operation.

He asked whether the Commission could compel the appearance or participation of security agencies and, if such agencies were constitutionally unable or unwilling to participate, whether the Commission could still discharge its mandate effectively.

He also urged the panel to ensure that its proceedings do not compromise classified information or ongoing investigations aimed at apprehending suspects who may still be at large.

Abegunde maintained that reports that some suspects were arrested or neutralised did not necessarily mean that every person involved in the attack had been accounted for.

Governor Makinde’s statements questioned
The memorandum also focuses extensively on statements attributed to Governor Seyi Makinde before and after the rescue of the victims.

Abegunde said the Governor’s repeated references to the timing of the abduction — particularly its proximity to his declaration of an intention to contest the 2027 presidential election — warranted clarification.

He also cited the Governor’s post-rescue broadcast in which Makinde reportedly called on the United Nations and other international bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue operation.

Abegunde argued that the Governor’s call for an independent international investigation suggested that the state government itself had questions about aspects of the incident that required clarification.

He therefore asked the Commission to invite the Governor to provide whatever information he possesses about the abduction and rescue operation, subject to the constitutional and legal framework governing the Commission.

The memorandum also asks whether the Governor briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the period of the victims’ captivity and, if so, the nature of such communication.

Security votes and Amotekun deployment
Abegunde further called for scrutiny of the state’s security expenditure, asking the Commission to establish the amount allocated monthly to security votes and how such funds are utilised.

He argued that the issue was particularly relevant given the scale of the security challenge and the Governor’s reported initial response that he should not be held responsible for the abduction.

The memorandum also requests detailed information on the state’s security arrangements around Oriire before and during the attack.

Mining activities in Oriire and Komu
Another significant aspect of the submission is a call for an investigation into mining activities reportedly taking place around forests in Oriire and Komu communities.
Abegunde referenced comments attributed to Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho, who reportedly raised concerns about mining activities in the area during efforts connected to the search for the abducted victims.

The memorandum asks the Commission to establish who authorised or supervises mining activities in the affected areas, what the Oyo State Government knows about operators in the locations, what security and monitoring mechanisms exist around the mining sites and whether the state derives revenue from such activities.

It also calls for clarification on the agency responsible for mining-related activities within the state.

Bodija explosion and market fires
Beyond the Oriire abduction, Abegunde’s memorandum asks the Commission to examine other security-related incidents in Oyo State, including the Bodija explosion and a series of market fires reported in parts of Ibadan.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding the Bodija explosion, which caused deaths, injuries and displacement, deserved further scrutiny.

The memorandum also questions the circumstances surrounding fires at markets including Alesinloye and Bode, while calling for an examination of the government’s response and the subsequent management and reconstruction of affected markets.
Abegunde specifically urged the Commission to investigate allegations by affected traders concerning the manner in which reconstruction and redevelopment of markets are handled after fire incidents.

A call for transparency

Concluding his submission, Abegunde described the Oriire incident as a “wake-up call” and urged the Commission to approach the inquiry as an opportunity to establish facts, clarify conflicting accounts and draw lessons capable of strengthening security in Oyo State.

He particularly called attention to statements attributed to Governor Makinde around the time of the abduction, including his reported assertion that he should not be held responsible for what happened and his repeated reference to the timing of the incident in relation to his presidential ambition.

Abegunde also referenced the Governor’s alleged statement that an unnamed prominent opposition figure had advised him against contesting for the presidency.
According to him, such statements, when considered alongside the circumstances surrounding the abduction and rescue operation, deserve clarification before the Commission concludes its work.

He urged the panel to establish the source of the information reportedly presented by the House Speaker regarding the alleged demands of the abductors and determine whether the state government was aware of the information.

Ultimately, Abegunde said, the objective should not merely be to apportion blame but to uncover the facts surrounding the incident, identify any institutional failures and ensure that lessons from the tragedy are applied to prevent a recurrence.

Foresight Media understands that the issues raised in the memorandum constitute allegations, questions and requests for investigation rather than established findings of the Judicial Commission. The Commission’s proceedings and responses from the Oyo State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and relevant security agencies will be essential to determining the facts.