Oriire pupil diagnosed with heart defect, 31 others discharged, LAUTECH CMD says
By Adejayan Gbenga
Thirty-one of the 39 pupils rescued after the mass abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, after doctors certified them medically fit.
The rescued pupils were taken to the hospital by the Oyo State Government shortly after they were handed over by security agencies. Upon arrival, health officials placed all 39 children under medical observation to assess their physical and psychological condition after spending 56 days in captivity.
Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakukehin, confirmed that every rescued pupil received comprehensive medical care. According to him, the children responded well to treatment and have since been discharged to reunite with their families.
However, Olakukehin disclosed that eight pupils are still receiving medical attention and will remain under close observation until doctors are satisfied with their recovery. He disclosed that the children require additional care before they can safely return home.
He further revealed that one of the pupils was diagnosed with a hole in the heart and is currently undergoing specialised treatment at the hospital. The child, he said, is being closely monitored by medical experts, while the remaining pupils on admission continue to receive both physical and psychological care.
Meanwhile, the CMD said the hospital’s intervention extends beyond treating physical injuries. He explained that counselling and continuous psychological assessment form a key part of the recovery process because of the traumatic experience the children endured in captivity.
The Oyo State Government has also continued to monitor the health of the rescued pupils, assuring their families that every child will receive the necessary medical attention until certified fit for discharge. It reiterated that the welfare of the children remains a top priority following their rescue.
The pupils regained their freedom after a coordinated security operation involving the military, police and other security agencies ended their 56-day captivity. Expressing optimism about the condition of those still hospitalised, Olakukehin reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to providing quality healthcare until all the remaining pupils recover fully and are discharged.
