Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured the 39 pupils and 5 teachers rescued from bandits through a combined effort of security agencies that the government will support them throughout the trying period.

The governor stated this on Monday, while receiving the rescued victims from the General Officer Commanding, 2 Mechanised Division, Major-Gen Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, noting that the state’s Medical Team would watch them for another 24 to 48 hours to be sure they are out of danger medically before they are reunited with their families.

He, however, directed that the family members should be allowed access to their rescued loved ones, adding that the government cannot undo what was done to the victims and their psyche in 56 days.

He said: “To our teachers and students, I know it’s a long road to recovery. What you’ve passed through in 56 days, we cannot undo in 56 months, but I want to give you an assurance that we will support you through this period.

“I know that the affected Baptist school is not a government school but we will sit down with both the teachers and the students from that particular school. The state government will do everything possible to ensure that there is no disruption to your careers, and there is no disruption to the education of those students.

“We will also keep supporting you, especially during this period. Professor [Temitope] Alonge briefed me on the efforts he and the Medical Team are making. They will still need to continue to see all of you. I believe that we need another 24 to 48 hours maximum to allow you to go home because we don’t want any disaster after this, we want to be sure that medically, you are okay.

“However, the parents should be allowed to have access to them.

“We also want to be sure that while you have been reunited with your family members, we can provide support that will at least take you through this immediate time.

“So, on behalf of the Government of Oyo State, we now officially take responsibility for the teachers and the students and the state government will provide the necessary support.”

Earlier, Governor Makinde called for a minute of silence in honour of the slain teachers as well as those who lost their lives to the rescue operation.

The governor also used the opportunity to officially appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support throughout the ordeal, just as he thanked the leadership of all security agencies, Nigerians and people across the world for working hard and standing with Oyo State while the situation lasted.

He said: “On behalf of the Government and the People of Oyo State, I would like to say thank you to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support in seeing this through.

“Also, I thank all the leadership of the security agencies in Nigeria, because quite frankly, I am still short of words because this has happened all over the country with its challenges, but when it came to Oyo State, it was totally different.

“The whole world, in unison, kept calling for the safe return of the teachers and the students. So, I can only thank the Almighty God for his grace over this state. I have been in office for seven-plus years. This is my very first time of witnessing something like this. It had never happened in Oyo State, and I do pray that this is the last time we witness anything like this.”

Also speaking, the GOC explained how the security agencies succeeded in rescuing the victims safely.

He appreciated Governor Makinde for his support throughout the operation.

He said: “We focused on dismantling their networks and cutting off their logistics. We went in with some of the hunters and local vigilantes.

“We thank God and all the security agencies for the good work. And I must thank the governor too for his support.

“Now, the operation has come to an end, and we thank everyone for their support.”

While speaking at the event, Mrs Racheal Folawe Alamu, the principal of the Community Grammar School, Esinele, who was among the rescued individuals, thanked the president, Governor Makinde, security agencies and all Nigerians for standing by them through the 56-day ordeal.

She said: “For 56 days, we were in the bush but we thank God for seeing us through. We went through a lot. What we believed was that Nigerians were praying for us. Many times, they tried to subdue us with fear. At a point, they told us that the government was not interested in our case again. But there were times we had hope that we would come out alive.

“So, all we want to do is to thank everybody, especially the officers, President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and everyone who has been in involved in this case. We have scars already but we believe we will heal with time and we pray that God will console the families of those who lost their lives.”

In his vote of thanks, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Major-Gen Lukman Omoniyi (rtd), appreciated all the security agencies for the bravery and professionalism displayed during the rescue operation to secure the release of the teachers and pupils safely.

He equally thanked Governor Makinde for prompt actions and support to the rescue operation as well as his unwavering commitment to leadership, which brought hope of reunion with the families of the abductees.

He reiterated Oyo State Government’s commitment to the safety of all schools in the state.

Those present at the handing over of the rescued individuals were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, PhD; Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Adenike Fasina, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Biodun Aikomo; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni and Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Others were the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga and other service commanders; chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Oyo State Wing, Comrade Hassan Fatai and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode, among others.

•PHOTO: From left, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin; the rescued Principal who was abducted along with teachers and pupils in Ahoro, Esiele, Yawota Community in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mrs Rachel Alamu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Musibau Babatunde and the pupils, during their handing over to Oyo State Government by the Nigerian Army, at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.

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