The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State has discharged 31 of the 39 schoolchildren rescued from bandits who kidnapped them in Oriire Local Government area of the state.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, handed over the children to their parents on Tuesday.
He said the 31 children were certified medically fit to reunite with their families.
Olakulehin disclosed that the remaining eight pupils would remain on admission for continued observation and treatment.
Speaking on their conditions, the CMD said medical specialists discovered a congenital heart defect in one of the remaining eight children during a comprehensive examination.
According to him, the parents were not previously aware of the condition.
He said: “The child has a hole in the heart, which was discovered during our assessment, though there is no cause for alarm as the child is stable and responding well.
“We have started necessary medical procedures and will notify the state government to support the next phase of treatment.”
The CMD described the discharge of the 31 pupils as a major step in their rehabilitation process.
Olakulehin assured that the hospital would continue to prioritise the physical and psychological recovery of all the rescued children until the remaining ones are fit to go home.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday received the rescued children and their teachers from the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebiefe.
Makinde said the children would remain in the custody of the state government for at least 24 hours for medical treatment before being released to their parents.
He also promised that the government would take full responsibility for care of the abductees.
