Kidnapping in Oyo and Makinde's Plea for a UN Investigation, by Ikechukwu Amaechi

Nigeria is breathing a collective sigh of relief as the Oyo State kidnap saga has finally come to an end, albeit with eight fatalities and a grueling 56-day ordeal that has left an indelible mark on the country's troubled history.

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The mass abduction, which occurred on May 15, involved terrorists raiding three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire local government, whisking away 39 pupils and six teachers, only to be rescued by a combined team of the armed forces on July 10.

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The operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspects, while others were killed, showcasing operational efficiency and improved inter-agency collaboration among the security agencies, a feat many have praised.

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For 56 days, the nation held its breath, particularly after the gruesome murder of Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, and the release of a graphic video of his execution online, leaving everyone wondering what other fatal pranks the terrorists had in store.

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In a country where politicians often take center stage and human life is frequently desecrated for political gain, Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has found himself at the receiving end of vicious attacks.

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Makinde, while receiving the rescued victims, expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the security forces for the successful rescue operation, which he described as the most audacious and dramatic in Nigeria's history.

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However, Makinde's appreciation was tempered by his call for a UN-backed investigation into the abduction, arguing that Nigerians deserve a full account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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This call was an amplification of his earlier insinuation that the abduction was a calculated political attack against him, which he hinted at while addressing the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Bauchi on the eve of the release of the victims.

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Makinde noted that he had declared his intention to run for the presidency at 4 p.m. on May 14, and by 9 a.m. the following day, the teachers and children were abducted, raising questions about the timing and motives behind the incident.

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The presidency was quick to respond, with the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissing Makinde's call as unnecessary and politically motivated, suggesting a lack of confidence in Nigeria's security institutions.

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The Senate followed suit, passing a resolution warning that Makinde's remarks could undermine the government's efforts in tackling insecurity, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing the call as "unsportsmanlike" and capable of diminishing the achievements of the security forces.

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Oshiomhole's argument, which carried the day in the Red Chamber, was that Nigeria's sovereignty made it inexpedient to call on a foreign body to investigate a domestic matter, a logic that has been questioned by many.

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The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress also condemned Makinde's call, describing it as "shameful, shocking and unbecoming of a leader," a sentiment that has been echoed by other critics.

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However, it can be argued that Makinde's call for an independent probe into the circumstances that led to the death of three teachers, security personnel, including Lt F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa, and Sgt Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force, among others, is not self-serving.

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Makinde's call is neither an indictment of the Tinubu government nor of security agencies, and his earlier praise for the security forces and President Tinubu suggests that his request is genuinely aimed at uncovering the truth.

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It is worth noting that Makinde's insinuation of political machinations behind the abduction is not a new sentiment, as APC chieftains, including Tinubu himself, have previously suggested that the spike in insecurity was politically motivated.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently claimed that opposition figures and "enemies of progress" were sponsoring violence, bombings, and unrest to distract Tinubu's administration, a sentiment that echoes Makinde's concerns.

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Tinubu himself has previously stated that his enemies were using insecurity to try to unseat him, but his administration's response to Makinde's call has been to dismiss it as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the government's efforts.

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The criticism of Makinde's call has been led by Tinubu's supporters, who have accused him of being a traitor and undermining the security forces, a charge that has been leveled against other opposition figures, including Peter Obi, who suggested that he would welcome U.S. military assistance to improve Nigeria's security.

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However, the Tinubu administration's response to Makinde's call has been hypocritical, as they have previously endorsed foreign military intervention in Nigeria, including the U.S. precision strikes against ISIS-linked terrorists in Sokoto.

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The Tinubu administration's credibility has been questioned, with the Prof Pat Utomi-led Big Tent Coalition noting that the administration has a history of vilifying citizens for expressing opinions, only to implement those same policies in practice.

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The APC-led Federal Government's anger towards Makinde's call for an international probe is not surprising, given their history of demanding international intervention when it suits their interests, such as the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria's (ACN) demand for President Goodluck Jonathan's trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2013.

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Makinde should not be deterred by the attacks, and his call for an independent probe remains a valid and necessary step towards addressing the issue of public safety, particularly in light of the ongoing captivity of the Askira-Uba 50 and the 176 women and children abducted from the Woro community in Kaiama local government, Kwara State on February 3.

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The question of what happened during the Oyo State kidnap saga remains a critical one, and Makinde's call for a UN-backed investigation is a necessary step towards uncovering the truth and ensuring that such incidents do not happen again in the future.