The Presidency has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-backed investigation into the abduction of 39 schoolchildren and six teachers in the state, describing the demand as unnecessary, politically motivated and a vote of no confidence in Nigeria's security institutions.

Governor Makinde had, during the formal reception of the rescued pupils and teachers in Ibadan on Monday, urged the United Nations and other international human rights and accountability bodies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the 56-day captivity of the victims and the events leading to their eventual rescue.

Responding to the governor's remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said there was no basis for such a request, insisting that the military and other security agencies had already provided explanations on the operation that led to the victims' rescue.

According to Onanuga, the Federal Government had no objection if the United Nations chose to examine the incident, but questioned why Makinde appeared unwilling to trust Nigeria's security institutions.

"The Governor has just expressed his opinion that the UN should probe this incident. Our doors are open. Let the UN come if he thinks there is more to it than what our military has explained," Onanuga said.

He argued that it was inconceivable that security agencies would deliberately allow innocent children to remain in captivity for nearly two months, noting that security personnel paid a heavy price during the rescue mission.

According to him, some soldiers and members of the Amotekun Corps lost their lives while pursuing the kidnappers, making suggestions of official complicity both unfair and unfounded.

He also accused the governor of allowing politics to influence his position.

"It is just unfortunate that Mr. Makinde, maybe because of politics, because he is a presidential candidate now, doesn't have any trust in our own institutions and is now calling on an external body to come and investigate," Onanuga said.

Makinde, however, maintained that his call was not intended to undermine Nigerian institutions but to strengthen public confidence through transparency and accountability.

"The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institutions," the governor said.

He added that Nigerians deserved a full account of what transpired, including whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion.

He stressed that the proposed international scrutiny was aimed at ensuring justice for the victims and preventing a recurrence.

The governor also reminded the Federal Government that responsibility for national security rests with it under the Constitution, while assuring that the Oyo State Government would provide medical, psychological and educational support for the rescued teachers and pupils until they fully recover.

The 39 pupils and six teachers were abducted on May 15 after gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

They regained their freedom on July 10 following a coordinated multi-agency security operation involving the military, police, Department of State Services and other security agencies.