Security Clearance Delays Oyo Delegation’s Visit To Rescued Oriire Victims
An Oyo State Government delegation experienced a temporary delay in gaining access to pupils and teachers rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area during a visit to the 2 Division Medical Centre, Military Hospital, Ibadan, on Saturday.
Initial reports indicated that soldiers on duty prevented members of the delegation from entering the facility. However, a government source later clarified that the delay resulted from routine military security and profiling procedures rather than a denial of access.
According to the source, the security screening formed part of the standard protocol observed by the military before anyone could meet the rescued victims.
The delegation, led by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, included the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Adewumi Ajetunmobi; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Coordination, Major General Tokunbo Omoniyi (Rtd.); former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The source disclosed that the state’s medical team, including Professor Alonge and the Commissioner for Health, was eventually granted access to assess the condition of the rescued victims after the security procedures were completed.
“The medical team from the Oyo State Government was granted access, including Professor Temitope Alonge and the Commissioner for Health. The delay was simply to allow for the completion of routine security procedures,” the source said.
The source further explained that while the medical team was admitted into the facility, some other members of the delegation remained outside pending the arrival of Governor Seyi Makinde and the completion of the security clearance process.
The visit came a day after the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers, who regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Federal Government and the Oyo State Government have both pledged to provide the victims with medical care, rehabilitation and psychosocial support to aid their recovery after the prolonged ordeal.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no indication of any disagreement between the military authorities and the Oyo State Government over the visit.
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