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Eight remain on admission, including one with hole in the heart
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Oyo Assembly backs Makinde’s call for UN probe
Thirty-one of the 39 pupils rescued after the mass abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been discharged from the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, after being certified medically fit.
However, eight others remain on admission for further medical care, including a child diagnosed with a hole in the heart.
The pupils were taken to the hospital by the Oyo State Government on Monday after they were received from the military. The government said they should remain under medical observation.
The development came as the Oyo State House of Assembly threw its weight behind Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for an independent international investigation into the abduction of the rescued victims.
The Assembly, while congratulating the government and people of Oyo State on the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, insisted that a United Nations-backed investigation would help unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack, strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and prevent future mass abductions of schoolchildren.
The Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital disclosed that the hospital admitted all 39 rescued pupils immediately after their release from captivity, but only 31 had recovered sufficiently to be discharged and reunited with their families.
According to the Chief Medical Director, eight children are still receiving medical attention and will remain under observation until doctors are satisfied with their condition.
One of the children, it was gathered, was diagnosed with a hole in the heart and is receiving specialised medical care.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Office of the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, described Governor Makinde’s call as a patriotic initiative rather than a criticism of the Federal Government or the security agencies.
The lawmakers argued that, with the mass abduction of schoolchildren becoming a recurring national security challenge, involving the appropriate agency of the United Nations would help establish the facts surrounding the Oriire incident and produce recommendations capable of preventing similar attacks.
“Mass abduction of schoolchildren has become a disturbing pattern in Nigeria. If our collective efforts as a country have not been sufficient to end this menace, it is only appropriate to invite the relevant agency of the United Nations to investigate the unusual circumstances surrounding the Oyo State case and make recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence. Enough is enough,” the Assembly stated.
The House also reacted to the Senate’s resolution cautioning Governor Makinde against seeking a UN-backed investigation, maintaining that the governor’s position had been misconstrued.
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It stressed that Makinde’s request should be viewed as a call for greater transparency, accountability, and international collaboration in tackling terrorism and attacks on schools, rather than an indictment of the Federal Government or the nation’s security agencies.
According to the Assembly, the governor had consistently commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps, and other security stakeholders for their coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue of the victims after weeks in captivity.
“The call for an independent international investigation is neither an indictment of the Federal Government nor a criticism of our gallant security agencies.
“It is a responsible request aimed at establishing the full circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, identifying possible security gaps and making recommendations that will help prevent a recurrence.
“Commending the efforts of our security agencies and seeking a transparent review of the incident are not mutually exclusive,” the statement added.
The lawmakers noted that terrorism and attacks on schools have assumed transnational dimensions, making international cooperation increasingly necessary in developing effective counter-terrorism strategies.
The Assembly further argued that many democratic nations had subjected major security incidents to independent investigations without undermining the professionalism of their security institutions or compromising national sovereignty.
It maintained that Governor Makinde’s proposal was not about apportioning blame but about ensuring that lessons from the Oriire abduction translate into stronger security measures for the protection of schoolchildren across Nigeria.
The House also commended the Senate for recognising the bravery and sacrifices of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and other security operatives involved in the rescue operation, as well as its call for improved welfare, training, logistics, modern equipment, and the prompt payment of benefits to the families of fallen security personnel.
According to the Assembly, these resolutions complement rather than contradict Governor Makinde’s call for an international investigation, as both seek to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
It urged Nigerians, irrespective of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations, to support every genuine initiative aimed at improving national security, safeguarding schools, and protecting children from future attacks.
The Assembly also commiserated with the families of the security personnel and the teacher who lost their lives during the tragic incident and appreciated security agencies, local security outfits, community volunteers, the media, and other Nigerians whose efforts contributed to the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
