56 Days Later: Oyo abducted pupils return home, One diagnosed with heart defect

Emotional scenes filled Oyo State on Tuesday as pupils and teachers rescued after 56 days in captivity reunited with their families, while eight pupils remained hospitalised for further medical attention, including one diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

The victims, who were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, were reunited with their relatives after undergoing medical examinations and psychosocial assessments at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

Parents and family members, who had endured weeks of anxiety and uncertainty, broke down in tears of joy as they embraced their children after the prolonged ordeal.

The reunions were supervised by medical officials, who called out the names of the rescued pupils one after another as families waited anxiously for their loved ones. Among those reunited were Testimony, Aliyu Ahmed, Abati Elizabeth and Adeleke Joshua.

Many parents expressed gratitude to God for the safe return of their children, while also appreciating the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, security agencies and other stakeholders who contributed to the rescue operation.

One of the parents, while holding her daughter tightly, offered prayers and described the reunion as a moment she had long hoped for.

Eight Pupils Still Receiving Treatment

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, disclosed that eight of the rescued pupils were still being monitored at the facility due to various health concerns.

Olakulehin said 31 out of the 39 pupils taken to the hospital had been discharged after medical professionals confirmed that they were fit to return home.

He, however, revealed that one of the pupils was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect during a routine medical assessment.

According to him, the condition, which involves a hole in the heart, was discovered during the comprehensive examination conducted on the child.

“The condition was identified during routine medical evaluation. The child is stable and responding well to treatment, so there is no immediate cause for concern,” he said.

The CMD explained that the hospital had commenced necessary medical procedures and would liaise with the Oyo State Government on further steps, including possible specialist care for the child.

He added that the remaining seven pupils still on admission were responding to treatment and were being closely monitored to ensure they fully recovered before discharge.

Beyond physical health, Olakulehin noted that the hospital was also paying attention to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the children, considering the trauma they experienced during their time in captivity.

Victims Endured Harsh Conditions

The reunion came a day after Governor Seyi Makinde formally received the rescued pupils and teachers at the Government House in Ibadan.

The governor described their return as a major relief for the state and commended the security agencies for their efforts in securing their freedom.

Speaking on the experience, the Principal of Community High School, Oriire, Mrs Rachael Alamu, revealed that the victims endured harsh conditions while in captivity, spending most of their time in the forest.

She disclosed that two teachers were killed by the abductors during the period of captivity.

According to her, faith, prayers and resilience helped the pupils and teachers survive the difficult period until their eventual rescue.

Government Confirms Intelligence-Led Rescue Operation

The Federal Government had earlier announced that the victims were freed through a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving the military, police and other security agencies.

Authorities disclosed that several suspects were neutralised during the operation, while eight others were arrested in connection with the abduction.

The rescued victims were subsequently transferred to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital for medical assessment, treatment and psychological evaluation before being reunited with their families.

The successful rescue operation has brought relief to affected families and residents of Oyo State, ending one of the state’s most distressing school abduction incidents and beginning the process of recovery and rehabilitation for the victims.