Eight rescued Oriire pupils, teacher remain hospitalised, LAUTECH CMD says
By Adejayan Gbenga
Eight schoolchildren and one teacher rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are still receiving treatment at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital (LTH), Ogbomoso, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Olawale Olakulehin, has said.
Olakulehin disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Ogbomoso, where he provided an update on the health condition of the rescued victims. According to him, the patients were admitted to the hospital shortly after regaining their freedom for medical evaluation and treatment.
He further disclosed that the hospital has discharged 35 of the 44 rescued victims after they were certified medically fit. He explained that those discharged, including pupils and teachers, responded well to treatment and were considered stable enough to return home.
He further stated that the hospital admitted 39 pupils and five teachers, including the principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro Esiele, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, following their rescue. Medical personnel immediately commenced comprehensive examinations to assess their health after the prolonged ordeal.
Meanwhile, the CMD revealed that one of the rescued pupils was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect during routine medical checks. He said the child is receiving specialised treatment, while the remaining patients are being managed for various health conditions linked to their time in captivity.
Olakulehin added that the eight pupils and one teacher still on admission remain under close medical observation. He noted that they would only be discharged after doctors are satisfied that they have made full recoveries.
He also stressed that reuniting the discharged victims with their parents and relatives forms an important part of their psychological recovery. According to him, family support is essential in helping the victims overcome the trauma of spending nearly two months in captivity.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area. They regained their freedom on July 10 following a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), local vigilantes, hunters and other security personnel.
