Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the global body has no mandate to investigate the internal security matters of sovereign nations.
In a statement released by his media office in New York, Ibrahim said issues relating to domestic security remain the responsibility of national and state authorities, not the United Nations.
He advised the Oyo State governor to concentrate on improving security within the state and providing support for victims of the attack instead of seeking intervention from the international organisation.
The ambassador, however, congratulated security agencies and Nigerians on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
He also urged Makinde to apologise publicly to the victims and their teachers, saying such a gesture would demonstrate compassion, accountability and responsible leadership following the traumatic incident.
Ibrahim further appealed to the Oyo State Government to support the families of any teachers who may have lost their lives during the attack.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs stressed that security should be regarded as a shared responsibility, urging state governments to strengthen preventive measures, deepen collaboration with security agencies and prioritise the safety of schools.
According to him, creating secure learning environments must remain a top priority for governments at every level.
The Chairman of the United Nations Fifth Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Matters made the remarks in response to Governor Makinde’s appeal for an international investigation into the abduction, which occurred on May 15.
Makinde made the request on Monday while receiving the rescued pupils and teachers at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
The governor argued that the circumstances surrounding the abduction warranted an independent international investigation.
According to him, such a probe would not undermine Nigerian institutions but would instead strengthen public confidence, establish the full facts surrounding the incident and ensure accountability.