Oyebanji visits Ekiti kidnap survivors in hospital

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Sunday visited the freed Eda Oniyo kidnap victims at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, where they are receiving treatment after spending about 66 days in captivity.

The governor visited the victims in the emergency and children’s wards and said he was relieved that they were stable and responding to treatment.

The victims, including women and children, were abducted on April 28 during a programme at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo.

A pastor was killed during the attack, while 16 worshippers were taken into the bush by the kidnappers.

One of the victims died in captivity, while the remaining 15 are now receiving medical care at EKSUTH.

Oyebanji said the state government would bear the full cost of their treatment and also provide psychological support to help them recover from the trauma.

“I am happy that they are back. I am happy that the little child who was unconscious yesterday is now conscious. All of them are stable, and they are responding to medical treatment. I commend the staff of EKSUTH for a job well done,” he said.

The governor added, “I have instructed that the state will bear the cost of their treatment and everything that happens between now and when they are discharged. I will also engage psychologists to counsel them with a view to reintegrating them with their family members.”

Oyebanji thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and commended security agencies, including members of the Hunters’ Association, for their role in the operation.

He also praised the Eda Oniyo Progressives Association, the Christian Association of Nigeria and other Ekiti indigenes who supported efforts to secure the victims’ release.

The governor warned residents against politicising security matters, saying the safety of Ekiti people should be placed above politics.

“We should be our brothers’ keepers. The safety of every Ekiti indigene should be our concern, and there should be a limit to politics,” he said.

“I will advise our people that when things like this happen, they should not weaponise them or play politics with them. It was so shocking that some people decided to play politics with this unfortunate incident.”

The state government had earlier directed EKSUTH to provide comprehensive medical screening and treatment for the victims.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services has also been ordered to supervise their welfare until they are certified fit to reunite with their families.