Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, visited the 2 Division Nigerian Army Hospital, Odogbo, Ibadan, where the Oriire Local Government Area pupils and teachers recently rescued from abductors are currently receiving medical attention.
The Governor, who expressed satisfaction with their condition, said the children and their teachers were responding well to treatment and were in a stable condition.
Governor Makinde disclosed that arrangements were underway to allow family members to meet the released people as part of the post-traumatic recovery process aimed at helping them get over the experience.
He commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their professionalism, commitment and coordinated efforts that led to the safe rescue of the victims.
The Governor also appreciated the people of Oyo State for their support, patience and understanding, promising to provide further updates on the rescue operation and other related engagements in the coming days.
Makinde urged residents to recognise that security challenges are not peculiar to any society, stressing the need for citizens to look beyond political, ethnic and other differences whenever challenges arise and work together towards finding lasting solutions.
The Governor said, “I am very happy that the children and teachers are back. We give glory to God and say thank you to our officers and men.
“It is sad that we lost some soldiers and officers. We want to assure their families that their loved ones would not have died in vain.
“I can see that the pupils and teachers are happy to be out of captivity. They are glad to be back. Some of them are still frail and we will have to do a bit of medical intervention on post traumatic issues, but we have the team that would do that already in place.
“Right now, we will watch them over the next 48 hours and by Monday, an assessment would be done. We believe that at that point, there will be a formal handing over by the military to Oyo State Government so that we can manage the process going forward.
“Also, today, we are putting logistics together to bring the family members to come and see them here at the hospital.
“My final message is that this is our country. All countries around the world do have challenges. When we are challenged, it is not the best time to sow seed of division, but to come together and confront our challenges.
“That is what I want to say to the people at this moment. In the course of the week, I will officially brief the people of Oyo State and the nation at large on what transpired.”
Those on the governor’s entourage include the Oyo State Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Engr. Mufutau Open Salawu; Senior Executive Assistant (General Duties), Chief Bayo Lawal; Executive Adviser, Security Coordination, Major General Tokunbo Omoniyi (Rtd); Executive Adviser (Security), CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd); Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Adenola; and the Director General, Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA), Mr Tilewa Folami.
