Panic in Ondo, Rivers over alleged deadly vaccination
Parents storm schools to withdraw wards
PALPABLE fears and anxiety yesterday pervaded 18 local councils in Ondo State as parents and guardians besieged schools to withdraw their children over an alleged administration of a deadly vaccine in Owo Local Council of the state by some unknown men in military uniform.
The incident led to the closure of some public schools across the state. In a similar vein, there was pandemonium in Rivers State as parents and guardians stormed public and private schools to withdraw their wards following an alleged rumour that soldiers were forcefully inoculating pupils with Monkeypox vaccine.
The state government has ordered the arrest of anyone attempting to vaccinate any child in any school premises in the state. Theguardian gathered that some unknown men in military uniform stormed a school in Emure in Owo Local Council to begin administration of deadly vaccines on school children forcefully.
A source said three school children reportedly died due to the deadly vaccine injected on them by the fake army officials.
The Army spokesman of 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, Major Ojo Adelegan, debunked the rumours, affirming that the brigade did not embark on any immunisation. Adelegan said that the army had deployed special force to investigate and arrest any offender who might use military uniform or guise to perpetrate crime in the state.
Also, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, dispelled the vaccination story and death rumours as untrue.
“The state government wishes to inform parents, students, teachers, school authorities and the general public that the rumours are 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,” he said.
Similarly, the state Health Commissioner, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, allayed the fears of parents and guardians, urging them to disregard the harmful vaccination story on children as rumours.