Oyo Government Reassures Parents On School Safety After Oriire Abduction, Visits Rescued Learners

The Oyo State Government has reassured parents and guardians of its commitment to the safety of learners across the state, urging them not to withdraw their children from school following the recent rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

The assurance was given by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola, during a visit to the rescued learners and teachers in Ahoro Esienle Yawota and Esiele communities.

Olayiwola led a delegation that included the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Fausat Sanni.

According to the commissioner, the visit was aimed at assessing the welfare of the victims, offering moral support and reaffirming the state government's commitment to protecting every child.

Addressing the rescued learners, teachers, parents and community members, Olayiwola urged parents not to allow the abduction incident to discourage them from sending their children to school.

He said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to strengthening security around schools and ensuring that every child has access to quality education in a safe and secure environment.

As part of the visit, the delegation presented 20 packs of Gluco Rush-D Energy Booster, donated by Reals Pharmaceuticals, to the rescued learners and teachers to support their recovery.

The officials also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Mr. John Olaleye, expressing the state government's sympathy over his death and praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Mr. Oyelakin Razaq, popularly known as "Imagination," thanked the state government for identifying with the victims and providing relief materials. He, however, appealed for stronger security around schools to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The delegation later visited the Oriire Local Government Secretariat, where they participated in a security meeting with key stakeholders chaired by the council chairman, Alabi Olateju.

The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, representatives of federal and state security agencies and the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Professor Olawale Olakuleyin.

Participants discussed measures to provide psychosocial support for the rescued learners to help them overcome the trauma of their ordeal and facilitate their successful reintegration into school.

The stakeholders also stressed the need to follow due process in removing trees around school premises to improve visibility and enhance security surveillance, particularly in view of the continued deployment of military personnel and other security agencies to Esinele and the Oriire Local Government headquarters.

Olayiwola commended the security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders for their collaboration, which he said contributed to the successful rescue of the abducted learners and teachers, while calling for sustained cooperation to improve security across schools in the area.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Fausat Sanni, disclosed that the ministry, in partnership with UNICEF, had trained selected community volunteers on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to provide emotional and psychological support for the rescued learners, their families and other affected residents.

She added that the ministry and UNICEF would return to the community next week to monitor the intervention, strengthen the community-based psychosocial support structure and ensure the continued delivery of quality mental health services.