It was an emotional reunion at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, on Tuesday as dozens of schoolchildren and teachers rescued from kidnappers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reunited with their families after spending 56 days in captivity.
The hospital premises came alive with tears, prayers, songs of thanksgiving and warm embraces as parents waited anxiously from the early hours of the day for medical clearance to take their children home.
The atmosphere became charged with emotion when the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof Olawale Olakulehin, emerged to announce the names of victims certified medically fit for discharge.
As each name was called, parents rushed forward amid tears of joy, with some mothers rolling on the floor in gratitude while others hugged their children tightly after nearly two months of separation.
Several lifted the children into their arms upon seeing them for the first time since the abduction.
Many of the parents expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, clerics and Nigerians for their efforts and prayers throughout the victims’ captivity.
One of the rescued teachers, Mary Dahunsi, who carried her baby on her back as she left the hospital with her husband, thanked God for sparing their lives.
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