The eight individuals who were kidnapped and subsequently rescued in Ekiti State have been discharged from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, after receiving a week of medical care.
The victims, comprising five school children and three staff from the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, had been abducted along the Emure-Eporo Road while on their way home from school.
They spent six harrowing days in the kidnappers’ den before regaining their freedom.
According to The PUNCH, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Oyebanji Filani, , emphasized the government’s commitment to their well-being, stating during their discharge, “As a government, having had them, including the children, released and properly treated by various teams from management here in the teaching hospital, we would be returning them to their community.”
The Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, assured the government that the victims would receive necessary medical attention before their discharge. Olabanji highlighted the varying conditions of the victims upon arrival, noting dehydration and panic among the pupils.
“We brought in clinical psychologists who could work on them to allay their fears. They were given the initial resuscitations including rehydration, they were given fluids, some who needed oxygen were given oxygen.
“After they had stabilised a bit, they were even given food too, now, they are much better, we will still carry out few investigations to fully appraise their situation.”
However, he expressed satisfaction with the medical team’s efforts, stating, “Now, they are much better, we will still carry out a few investigations to fully appraise their situation.”
Mrs. Dorcas Ojo, the grandmother of three of the school children, expressed gratitude for the release of her grandchildren, attributing their safety to the prayers of the people of Emure Ekiti and Eporo Ekiti.
She shared the traumatic experiences the children endured during captivity, including forced treks in the bush and a lack of food.
“They (children) were traumatised by the kidnappers as they were forced to trek long distance in the bush, not staying in one location and also not given food to eat for the days they were in captivity.”
