‎Just In: Rescued Oyo Pupils, Teachers May Meet Families Today; Children Mount Pressure on Adults to See their Parents, Professor Alamu Arrives in Ibadan to Receive Wife

‎Just In: Rescued Oyo Pupils, Teachers May Meet Families Today; Children Mount Pressure on Adults to See their Parents, Professor Alamu Arrives in Ibadan to Receive Wife
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‎Rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may reunite with their families today (Monday) as Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities anxiously await their formal handover by the military to the Oyo State Government after a 48-hour medical observation period.
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‎The victims, who regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity, have been receiving medical treatment, psychological evaluation and psychosocial support at the Headquarters of the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan.
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‎Their expected return has generated excitement and anticipation among relatives, friends and residents, many of whom have spent weeks praying for their safe rescue.
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‎Governor Seyi Makinde, who visited the victims on Saturday, said they would remain under medical observation for 48 hours before being formally handed over to the state government.
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‎He explained that the observation period would enable medical experts to properly assess their physical and emotional condition before they are reunited with their loved ones.
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‎”Our plan right now is to 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, and then we can manage the process from that point forward,” the governor said.
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‎Makinde also disclosed that arrangements had already begun to reunite the rescued victims with their families, revealing that some of the children had repeatedly asked to see their parents after regaining their freedom.
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‎”But also today, we are putting logistics together to at least bring the family members to come and see them. There’s a small girl in there who basically has been asking, ‘Where’s my mom? Where’s my mom?’ So, at least we want the mom to be able to come and then see her,” he added.
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‎Across Ogbomoso on Sunday, many parents and relatives gathered in churches and other places of worship to offer thanksgiving and prayers while eagerly awaiting the military’s formal handover.
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‎ Among them were Deborah Oyesola, Adesola Akano and Prof. Wole Alamu, husband of the principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro Esinle, Mrs. Rachael Alamu. Prof. Alamu also arrived in Ibadan on Sunday night in anticipation of receiving his wife after her release.
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‎The expected reunion comes barely two days after the Federal Government announced the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers who were kidnapped on May 15 when heavily armed gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Ahoro Esinle, all in Oriire Local Government Area.
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‎Although the Oyo State Government expressed optimism that the military would complete the handover on Monday, officials acknowledged that the final decision rests with the military.
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‎The Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the state remained hopeful the process would proceed as scheduled, while noting that operational considerations could still affect the timing.
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‎Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has reiterated its readiness to partner with the Federal Government to secure and restore the Old Oyo National Park, while traditional rulers in Oriire renewed calls for improved security, saying the abduction exposed significant gaps in the area’s security architecture.
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‎They appealed for the upgrade of the Police Post in Pamo to a full-fledged Divisional Police Headquarters and the deployment of more security personnel to safeguard rural communities.
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‎The successful rescue has continued to attract commendations from the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Yoruba Council of Elders, lawmakers, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, who praised the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.
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‎They, however, urged security agencies to sustain the momentum by rescuing other Nigerians still in captivity and strengthening security across vulnerable communities.
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