Ekiti News reports that Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State on Sunday visited the rescued pupils and teachers of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure -Ekiti, at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado- Ekiti, where they were receiving treatment.
Upon the Governor’s directive, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, along with ministry officials, brought the students and their teachers from Emure Ekiti to the hospital for medical attention.
Few hours later, the Governor arrived at the hospital, engaging in a brief interaction with each of the students and their teachers at the Accident and Emergency Ward.
Upon his arrival, Governor Oyebanji was received by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Filani, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, and Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade, a member of the House of Assembly representing Emure Constituency, along with other government officials.
In extending congratulations to the liberated students and teachers, the Governor assured that the individuals responsible for the abduction would be identified, apprehended, and subjected to appropriate legal consequences.
Governor Oyebanji urged the medical team at the hospital not to be in a hurry to discharge the students, stressing the need for them to be properly managed, given the trauma they went through.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the visit, he praised the resilience of the children and expressed gratitude to God for their safe return.
The Governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention in the matter. He also thanked heads of security agencies in the country for their swift response to the development.
Governor Oyebanji assured the people of the state that his administration will not rest on its oars in ensuring that criminal elements are flushed out of the state.
The Governor reiterated his unwavering commitment to the security of lives and property of the state’s citizens. He pledged to maintain collaboration with relevant security agencies and the traditional institution in the collective effort to combat criminal activities.
“ We thank God for their safe return. I am excited and I give glory to God. I also thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift response and for giving specific directives. His intervention made the difference and I am thankful to him on behalf of Ekiti people. I am also thankful to the security chiefs for their support. They all put resources together and mobilized men and materials to ensure we rescue the children. All I can say is that we shall go after the criminals and we shall get them”. He added.
Expressing his condolences over the death of the bus driver of the abducted pupils, Mr Taiwo Olugbaye who was reportedly killed by the kidnappers, the Governor said government will not leave any stone unturned in the bid to apprehend the criminals as well as those involved in the killing of our two traditional rulers.
“It is very sad. My condolences to the family. I have directed the Deputy Governor to pay a visit to the family and to the Elemure to commiserate with them. But what I can assure Ekiti people is that we will go after the criminals.”
Dr Filani, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services also confirmed that the the pupils and their teachers were in stable condition.
The Commissioner said they were being attended to by a multidisciplinary team of medical personnel.