Tears, Joy As Rescued Oyo Pupils, Teachers Reunite With Families

There were emotional scenes at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, on Tuesday as parents and relatives reunited with some of the pupils and teachers rescued from kidnappers in Oyo State.

The victims were among the 44 pupils and teachers abducted on May 15 when armed attackers invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School.

They regained their freedom last Friday after spending 56 days in captivity and were formally handed over to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan on Monday by the Nigerian Army.

Two teachers reportedly lost their lives during the period of captivity.

Following their handover to the state government, the rescued victims were transferred to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital for further medical examinations, treatment and psychological support.

Parents and relatives gathered at the hospital on Tuesday, anxiously waiting to see their loved ones after nearly two months of uncertainty.

The victims were initially admitted for comprehensive medical assessments and psychological care following the trauma associated with their abduction and prolonged captivity.

Family members remained within the hospital premises while medical personnel completed the necessary examinations before allowing the victims to return home.

Emotions ran high when some parents and relatives were permitted to enter the facility to identify and reunite with their children and family members.

A woman identified as the mother of Testimony, one of the youngest children among the rescued victims, broke down in tears as she embraced her daughter.

Holding the child tightly, the woman expressed gratitude to God, President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde and the security agencies involved in securing the victims’ freedom.

“Merciful God, I thank You. I never imagined that my daughter, Testimony, would return to me safe and fill my heart with joy. Who am I that You should love me so much?

“I also thank President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, and the security agents. May God Almighty bless you all,” she said in an emotion-laden voice.

HOSPITAL DISCHARGES 31 VICTIMS

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof Olawale Olakulehin, said 31 of the rescued victims had been discharged after being certified medically fit.

Olakulehin said those discharged had been reunited with their families, while eight others would remain in the hospital for further observation and treatment.

According to him, the hospital received 39 rescued children following their release from captivity.

He explained that the decision to keep eight of the children under medical supervision was part of efforts to ensure their complete recovery before they were handed over to their families.

The CMD also disclosed that medical specialists discovered that one of the children had a congenital heart defect during the comprehensive examinations conducted at the hospital.

He said the child’s parents were previously unaware of the condition before it was detected by the hospital’s medical team.

SENATE FAULTS MAKINDE’S UN PROBE DEMAND

In a related development, the Senate on Tuesday asked Governor Makinde to withdraw his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and eventual rescue of the pupils and teachers.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and supported by 108 senators.

The motion commended President Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release after 56 days in captivity.

During deliberations, the senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, described Makinde’s demand for an international investigation as “not statesmanly.”

Oshiomhole also urged the governor to stop “trivialising” the rescue operation and recognise the efforts made by the Federal Government and security agencies.

His prayer was subsequently adopted by the Senate following a voice vote.

Makinde had on Monday called on the UN and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the May 15 attack and the eventual rescue of the victims.

The governor argued that an independent investigation would help establish the facts, ensure accountability and strengthen public confidence in the process.

The senator representing Oyo North, Abdulfatai Buhari, whose constituency includes the affected communities, thanked the Federal Government and the military for securing the release of the victims.

Senators Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central and Tahir Monguno of Borno North also urged the military and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue other schoolchildren and Nigerians still being held by kidnappers, particularly in Borno State.

The Senate paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation and observed a minute’s silence in their honour.

It also called on the relevant authorities to ensure the prompt payment of benefits and other entitlements to the families of the fallen personnel.

The Senate identified those who died during the operation as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force.

It added that Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion sustained injuries during the operation.

FG ACCUSES MAKINDE OF POLITICISING RESCUE

The Federal Government also criticised Makinde’s position, accusing the governor of politicising the abduction and rescue of the victims.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the Tinubu administration’s priority was securing the victims’ freedom rather than engaging in public gestures.

Akume spoke while receiving members of the Global Association of Christian and Muslim Youth for Peace and Development in Abuja.

“When people complained that the President did not make a phone call, would that have freed the victims? What mattered was the strategy that ensured their safe rescue,” he said.

The SGF maintained that the Federal Government remained committed to intelligence-driven security operations aimed at combating terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.