Oyo Government Seeks Public Evidence as Inquiry Opens Into Oriire School Abduction

The Oyo State Government has invited members of the public to submit information to a Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The commission is seeking evidence about the May 15, 2026 attack on three schools in the Esinele and Yawota communities, as well as the security response before, during and after the incident. The state government announced the call for memoranda in a statement published on its official handle on Tuesday.

The affected schools were Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School. Armed men reportedly attacked the schools during the incident, abducting the pupils, students and teachers.

The victims remained in captivity for 56 days before their release in July. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced their rescue and said security agencies secured their freedom without making any concession to the abductors.

Following the release, Governor Seyi Makinde called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction. The state government said the inquiry is intended to establish what happened and examine how security agencies responded to the incident.

The commission is now asking anyone with relevant information to come forward. Submissions are expected to contain the contributor’s full name and contact details, alongside any supporting documents that may assist the investigation.

Memoranda can be submitted physically at the Conference Room, Office of the Head of Service, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. Members of the public can also submit their documents electronically through oysjceoriireabduction@gmail.com.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 14, 2026. The government said public contributions could help the commission establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction and assess the security response, reaffirming its commitment to the safety of communities across Oyo State.