Confusion as Parents Withdraw Wards from Schools in Ondo, Rivers over Vaccination

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and James Sowole in Akure

There was confusion on Tuesday in several towns in Ondo and Rivers States as parents and guardians stormed both primary and secondary schools to withdraw their wards following rumours that soldiers were going round schools to vaccinate pupils against killer diseases.

In Ondo State, the action of the panic-stricken parents created chaotic situations at Owo, Ikare, Idanre, Ore, Akure and other cities as they were reportedly running helter skelter towards the schools to withdraw their wards.

In Rivers State, as the news spread around mid-morning, parents were seen rushing to schools to pick up their children and wards.
Some schools had to engage the services of the police to stop parents from taking their children while the gates of the schools were locked.
At Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, the situation was chaotic as the parents were prevented from gaining access to the school premises.

A parent who gave her name as Mrs. Mercy George, lamented that the school authorities had stopped her from taking her only child home, adding that she would not take it kindly if any harm befalls her daughter.
Both state governments in seperate statements said it did not authorise the military or any other body to enter into school premises to administer forced medication or vaccination on any child in any school in the states.
Even the Nigerian Army also issued a statement denying carrying out such exercise and described those peddling the rumours as enemies of the states.

For instance, the Rivers State Government said it did not authorise the Nigeria Army or indeed any other body or person to enter into school premises to administer forced medication or vaccination on any child in any school in the state.

A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Emma Okah, said: “Inoculation is personal and consent of the Rivers State Government and parents must first be sought and obtained before it can be administered on any school child in a school premises. Consequently, all school heads and parents should resist any such attempt.
“Furthermore, the State Government has set up a Task Force to ensure that no school premises is violated in the State for the purpose of immunising any child.”

In Ondo State, the Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, described the incident as a wild rumour saying, it was an unnecessary apprehension created by mischievous people just to create panic and tension in the society.
Joseph, who advised the public to desist from peddling unfounded rumour in order to destabilise the prevalent peaceful atmosphere in the state, said the command had started investigation to get to the root of the rumour.

Similarly, the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barrack, Akure said the military was not administering any vaccine in schools in the state.
The army’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by the army’s Assistant Director, Public Relations, Major Ojo Adelegan.

“The attention of 32 Artillery Brigade has been drawn to the fake information making the around in Ondo State that soldiers are giving poisonous vaccine to children and students of both Primary and Secondary Schools in Ondo State.

“We are using this medium to inform the general public to disregard such information. There is no ongoing medical outreach in Ondo State.
“The information is the hand work of mischief makers and should be treated as such,” Adelegan said.
The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, told parents, students, teachers, school authorities and the public that the rumour was baseless, unfounded and should be disregarded.

“Real time investigation across the state has shown that none of such things exist in Ondo State.
“The state government therefore advises the public, schools, students and teachers to go about their normal activities.
“Should there be any strange occurrence, the appropriate quarters should be informed immediately,” Olowolabi stated.
Apart from the statement, the commissioner featured in a live enlightenment programme on radio stations in the state to debunk rumour of vaccination exercise.