The Oyo State Government has opened a new phase in its investigation into the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, inviting members of the public to submit information that could help the Judicial Commission of Inquiry unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The government made the call in a statement published on its official handle on Tuesday, announcing that the commission had commenced the process of receiving memoranda from individuals and organisations with relevant information about the abduction.
The inquiry is expected to examine not only how the pupils and teachers were abducted from communities in Oriire but also the actions and response of security agencies before, during and after the incident.
“The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Oriire abduction is calling for public memoranda,” the government stated.
According to the statement, the commission is particularly interested in information concerning the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Esinele and Yawota communities, as well as the broader security situation surrounding the incident.
The government said interested members of the public have until Friday, August 14, 2026, to submit their memoranda.
It urged anyone who witnessed events connected to the abduction or possesses relevant information to come forward, stressing that such contributions could assist the commission in establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
Contributors are expected to provide their full names and contact details, alongside any supporting documents or other materials considered relevant to their submissions.
The state government said memoranda could be submitted physically at the Conference Room, Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Members of the public who prefer electronic submissions can also send their memoranda through [email protected].
The government urged potential contributors not to wait until the last minute, stressing the importance of submitting relevant information before the August 14 deadline.
The investigation comes several months after the abduction triggered widespread anxiety across Oyo State and renewed concerns about the safety of schools and communities in the affected area.
The incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area: Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School.
The coordinated attack resulted in the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers, leaving families and communities devastated and prompting security agencies to launch operations aimed at securing their release.
The victims subsequently spent 56 days in captivity before they were rescued in July.
The release was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said security agencies had secured the freedom of the victims without making any concession to their abductors.
Following the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The governor’s position reflected the seriousness of the attack and the need to establish what happened before the abduction, how the attackers were able to operate, and whether there were lapses in the security arrangements around the affected schools and communities.
The Judicial Commission’s decision to seek public memoranda is expected to widen the scope of the inquiry by allowing individuals with firsthand knowledge or relevant evidence to contribute to the investigation.
The state government said the commission’s work would help establish the facts surrounding the incident and assess the security response at different stages of the crisis.
“The Oyo State Government remains committed to the safety of every community,” the statement added.
Beyond establishing what happened, the inquiry is also expected to provide useful lessons on school security, intelligence gathering, emergency response and coordination among security agencies in the event of future attacks.
The commission is therefore seeking information relating to the abduction of pupils, students and teachers from communities including Esinele and Yawota, as well as details concerning the security response before, during and after the incident.
With the August 14 deadline approaching, the government has appealed to members of the public who possess credible information to assist the commission in its work, as the state seeks answers to one of the most disturbing security incidents to affect its schools in recent times.
(Ripples)