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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Oyo abduction: More victims discharged, fear keeps schools shut

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Some schools in Oyo State's Oriire Local Government Area remain closed a week after the rescue of over 40 abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
  • Eight more victims have been discharged from the hospital, with only one pupil remaining for treatment of congenital heart disease.
  • Parents are demanding improved security before allowing children to return to school, fearing further incidents.

Academic activities have yet to fully resume in some schools within the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, a week after the successful rescue of over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers. While some schools, like Ahoro-Dada and Ikoyi-Ile, have reopened, others, including Pamo, Yawota, and Ahoro-Esienle, remain shut.

Since the incident happened, no child has gone back to school. Parents are afraid.

— Oba Ayobami OgunmakindeThe Elerepamo of Pamo describing the current situation and fear in his community.

The decision to keep schools closed stems from ongoing fear among parents and residents following the May 15 abduction. Despite the safe return of the students and teachers on July 10, the trauma of the incident has left many hesitant to send their children back to school. Parents have vowed not to allow their children to return until the government provides adequate security guarantees.

Eight more victims, who were previously hospitalized at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, have been discharged after being declared medically fit. This leaves only one pupil, diagnosed with congenital heart disease, still admitted. The joint security operation that rescued the victims involved multiple agencies, including the Nigerian Army, police, DSS, NSCDC, Amotekun, vigilante groups, and hunters.

We have begged before; maybe I should still beg again, on behalf of my people. I cannot be a traditional ruler on tress, farmlands, houses, or animals.

— Oba Ayobami OgunmakindeThe traditional ruler appealing for government assistance and security.

Traditional rulers are appealing to the Federal Government to upgrade the sole police post in Pamo to a full-fledged divisional police headquarters to enhance security in the area. The Elerepamo of Pamo, Oba Ayobami Ogunmakinde, stated that residents are still living in fear and emphasized the need for government intervention to restore confidence and ensure the safety of students and the community.

The Federal Government, through the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to please, upgrade the only existing police post in this area to a full-fledged divisional police headquarters.

— Oba Ayobami OgunmakindeThe traditional ruler making a specific request for improved police presence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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