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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, (COSEYL) a conglomeration of Igbo youth groups in the Southeast has declared support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area and the circumstances surrounding their rescue.
In a press release signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and made available to journalists in Owerri, Imo State capital, COSEYL described Makinde’s position as a legitimate demand for transparency and accountability, not political grandstanding.
The group said appropriate international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including those within the United Nations system, should undertake an independent examination of the incident.
“Governor Makinde’s position is neither an act of political grandstanding nor an attack on Nigeria’s security institutions. Rather, it is a legitimate demand for transparency, accountability, and truth in a matter involving the lives, safety, and fundamental rights of innocent Nigerian children,” the statement read.
COSEYL faulted attempts by some federal officials to dismiss the call as politically motivated, saying public officials should instead welcome initiatives that strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
The coalition argued that whenever schoolchildren are abducted and held for an extended period, citizens are owed a comprehensive explanation of what happened, the challenges encountered, lessons learned, and reforms needed to prevent a recurrence.
“An independent review, if conducted professionally and objectively, should not be feared by anyone. Institutions that have acted appropriately have nothing to lose from scrutiny,” COSEYL stated. “On the contrary, an impartial assessment can validate successes, identify operational gaps, recommend improvements, and reinforce public confidence.”
The group said the issue transcends partisan politics and concerns the safety of millions of children who go to school daily. It added that seeking the involvement of international accountability mechanisms within established legal frameworks aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to human rights and child protection, and should complement domestic efforts.
COSEYL urged the Federal Government to approach Makinde’s proposal with openness. “Defensiveness should never replace accountability. A transparent process that objectively examines the facts would strengthen, not weaken, Nigeria’s democratic institutions and international standing,” the group said.
The coalition also commended the armed forces, security agencies and Amotekun personnel who participated in efforts to secure the victims’ freedom, including those who lost their lives. It said honouring their sacrifices requires a careful review of the incident to make future operations more effective.
“No child should ever become a casualty of insecurity or institutional shortcomings. Every Nigerian child deserves to learn in safety, every parent deserves peace of mind, and every citizen deserves answers whenever tragic incidents of this magnitude occur,” Ibem said.
COSEYL concluded that nations become stronger when they embrace transparency over secrecy and accountability over defensiveness, and pledged to stand firmly with Governor Makinde on the call for a credible examination of the Oyo abduction.
