Source Reveals Delay In Granting Oyo Officials Access To Rescued Pupils, Teachers

A government source has attributed the delay in allowing officials of the Oyo State Government to see the recently rescued pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area to routine military security procedures.

The source who spoke with Vanguard said the delay at the 2 Division Medical Centre, Military Hospital, Ibadan, was part of standard profiling and security clearance conducted by the military and should not be interpreted as a denial of access.

The explanation followed concerns that members of the state government’s delegation were made to wait before they could see the victims rescued from more than 50 days in captivity.

According to the source, the state’s medical team was later granted access to assess the health condition of the rescued victims after the security procedures were completed.

Those admitted into the facility included the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, and a former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge.

“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 delegation was led by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Other members included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Coordination, Maj. Gen. Tokunbo Omoniyi (retd.), and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

The source explained that while the medical personnel were eventually allowed into the hospital, some members of the delegation remained outside until Governor Seyi Makinde arrived and the military’s security clearance was completed.