By Lawrence Agbo
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to publicly apologise to the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the governor should focus on supporting the victims rather than seeking international intervention.
In a statement issued from his media office in New York, Ibrahim congratulated Nigerians on the safe release of the victims but maintained that the state government owed them compassion and reassurance following their ordeal.
His comments followed Governor Makinde’s call for the United Nations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction and subsequent rescue of the pupils and teachers.
According to Ibrahim, the UN has no mandate to investigate domestic security incidents within member states, stressing that maintaining security remains the responsibility of governments at all levels.
“The United Nations does not interfere in the internal affairs of its member states. It is not an institution established to investigate domestic security incidents,” he said.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs argued that leaders should identify with victims whenever security failures occur, describing a public apology as an important demonstration of empathy and accountability.
He said the government’s primary obligation is the protection of lives and property and urged the Oyo State Government to provide adequate support for the victims and their families as they recover from the traumatic experience.
Ibrahim also appealed to the state government to cater for the children of teachers who lost their lives during the incident, adding that if additional resources were required to support affected families, the governor should openly seek the necessary financial assistance.
(The Sun)