After Weeks in Captivity, 31 Oriire Pupils Return Home as Eight Continue Treatment
Thirty one children rescued from the Oriire school abduction in Oyo State have been discharged from the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, where doctors determined that they were medically fit to return to their families.
The children were among 39 pupils who were brought to the hospital after being released from captivity, and treated for weeks without their families.The children were among 39 pupils who were brought to the hospital after being released from captivity, and treated for weeks without their families.
Eight children are still in hospital for more treatment and monitoring, including one child with a hole in the heart who is being treated by specialists.
All 39 pupils rescued were rushed to the hospital, the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital said, adding that medical teams were on duty to assess their physical and emotional needs.
In addition to medical recovery, child protection experts stress the need for ongoing psychosocial support, safe reintegration into family and community, and support to return to school following traumatic experiences for children who experience abduction.
The development follows the Oyo State House of Assembly’s support for Governor Seyi Makinde’s demand for an independent investigation into the abduction, saying that more accountability mechanisms are required to prevent future attacks on schools.
To ensure that children’s right to safe education is upheld, the lawmakers said that there is a need to improve security, transparency and coordinated efforts to make schools safe learning environments.
