Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Oyo State Judicial Commission of Enquiry investigating the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area has invited members of the public to submit memoranda containing relevant facts, evidence and recommendations to support its investigation.
The commission said the public engagement is intended to gather firsthand information that will help establish the circumstances surrounding the abduction, identify any underlying factors and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The appeal was contained in a public notice signed by the commission’s Secretary, Mrs Olamide Sandra Tella, who encouraged individuals, community leaders, organisations and other stakeholders with relevant information to actively participate in the inquiry by submitting their memoranda.
According to the notice, the commission is requesting memoranda covering “the circumstances leading to and surrounding the incident; the circumstances of the abduction and subsequent developments; information on the security situation before, during, and after the incident; any acts, omissions, or circumstances that may have contributed to the occurrence; the response of relevant authorities, institutions, communities, or individuals to the incident; and recommendations considered appropriate for preventing a recurrence of similar incidents.”
The commission also directed that all submissions should include the contributor’s full name, contact details and any supporting documents or materials that could aid the investigation.
It stated that “all memoranda should be addressed to: The Secretary, Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the Abduction of Students and Teachers in Esinele and Yawota Communities, Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State,” adding that submissions may be made physically at the commission’s secretariat on or before August 14, 2026.
Governor Seyi Makinde inaugurated the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Friday following the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, with the panel mandated to establish the facts surrounding the incident and recommend measures to strengthen security in schools and vulnerable communities.
The commission’s decision to invite public participation is expected to widen the scope of its investigation by allowing residents, witnesses and other stakeholders to provide information that may assist in determining the causes of the incident and improving the state’s response to future security threats.
