Nigeria’s UN envoy says internal security matters fall within the jurisdiction of sovereign states, urges Oyo governor to focus on victim support.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, has rejected Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a statement issued by his media office in New York, Ibrahim said the United Nations does not intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign member states, noting that domestic security incidents remain the responsibility of national and sub-national governments.
He stated that the UN lacks the mandate to investigate incidents such as the May 15 abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
Ibrahim urged Governor Makinde to focus on strengthening security measures and supporting victims of the attack rather than seeking international intervention.
While congratulating the security agencies and Nigerians on the successful rescue of the abducted victims, the Nigerian envoy called on the governor to publicly apologise to the pupils and teachers, describing such a gesture as a demonstration of empathy, accountability and responsible leadership.
He also appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide adequate support to the families of teachers who lost their lives during the incident.
According to Ibrahim, security should be treated as a collective responsibility, with state governments investing more in preventive measures, enhancing collaboration with security agencies and prioritising the safety of schools.
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs added that secure learning environments must remain a priority for governments at all levels.
Governor Makinde had on Monday called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the Oriire abduction, arguing that an independent probe would help establish the full facts surrounding the incident and strengthen public confidence.