A government source has clarified that the temporary delay in granting an Oyo State Government delegation access to the rescued victims of the recent abduction in Oriire Local Government Area was caused by routine military security and profiling procedures.
The source, who spoke on Saturday, explained that the delay at the 2 Division Medical Centre, Military Hospital, Ibadan, did not amount to a denial of access but was part of the standard security protocols observed by military authorities before visitors could see the victims.
According to the source, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, and the former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Temitope Alonge, were eventually admitted into the medical facility to assess the condition of the rescued victims.
“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 state delegation was led by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade. Other members included the Special Adviser on Security Coordination, Major General Tokunbo Omoniyi (retd), and the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.
The source further disclosed that while the state’s medical team was eventually allowed into the facility, some other members of the delegation remained outside pending the arrival of Governor Seyi Makinde and the completion of the required security clearance.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at the military hospital following the successful security operation that secured their freedom.