Makinde visits rescued Oriire pupils, teachers, to brief public next week
By Adejayan Gbenga
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday visited the pupils and teachers rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area, assuring residents that his administration would next week provide a comprehensive account of the abduction and the operation that secured their freedom.
The governor met with the victims at the Military Hospital in Ibadan, where they are receiving medical treatment after regaining their freedom on Friday following 56 days in captivity.
Speaking during the visit, Makinde said the rescued pupils and teachers would remain under close medical observation for the next 48 hours to enable health professionals assess their physical and psychological conditions before they are reunited with their families.
According to the governor, the Nigerian Army is expected to formally hand over the victims to the Oyo State Government after the medical evaluation, after which the state will coordinate their rehabilitation, counselling and reintegration into their families and communities.
“We’ll watch them over the next 48 hours, so by Monday we think an assessment will be done and maybe there’ll be a formal transfer from the military to the state. Then we can manage the process from that point forward,” Makinde said.
Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that one of the rescued children had repeatedly asked to see her mother, stressing that the reunification process would be handled with utmost care to safeguard the emotional well-being of all the victims.
He appealed to residents of Oyo State to remain patient while medical experts complete their assessments, assuring them that the health, safety and welfare of the rescued pupils and teachers remain the government’s overriding priority.
Makinde also pledged to brief the people of Oyo State and Nigerians next week on the circumstances surrounding the abduction and the rescue operation, saying, “In the course of the week, I will officially brief the people of Oyo State and the nation at large on what exactly has transpired.”
