Makinde Assures Rescued Oriire Teachers, Pupils of Full Support As Army Hands Over Victims After 56 Days In Captivity
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Monday assured that nothing will be allowed to disrupt the education and careers of the recently rescued teachers and students of Oriire Local Government Area.
The Governor gave the assurance during the formal handover of the victims to the Oyo State Government by the Military, after spending 56 days in captivity .
He said the state government has now taken full responsibility for their welfare, and that efforts will continue until all the victims are fully stabilized.
According to the Governor, his administration will work directly with the affected school to provide immediate medical, psychological, and logistical support to the victims and their families.
Governor Makinde also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention, and to the leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies for coordinating the rescue operation.
Speaking earlier, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said directives from President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and other stakeholders strengthened the resolve of troops to secure the release of the victims.
According to him, security forces pursued the abductors from day one, but the captors had moved deep into the forest. The operation, which resulted in the loss of some security personnel, eventually paid off after 56 days.
Speaking with newsmen for the first time after their release, Mrs. Rachael Alamu narrated their ordeal.
She said they moved through forests at night, slept in fear, and watched the youngest children suffer the worst of the beatings.
She revealed that the abductors killed the Mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, to scare them and to prove to government that they meant business.
The victims, who were freed on Friday following a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, have since been receiving medical treatment at the Military Hospital in Ibadan.
Governor Makinde reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that education continues uninterrupted in Oriire LGA and that the trauma experienced by the victims is properly addressed.
