Pandemonium broke out in Anambra
today over the commencement of a medical outreach by men of the Nigerian Army
in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area when soldiers stormed a school in
the community to begin the administration of drugs to indigenes.
Rumour however went to town that
the soldiers were in Anambra to inject children with vaccines as had allegedly
been done in Bayelsa State with the hope of infecting them with the monkey pox
disease.
The rumour had caused serious
pandemonium in town as some people claimed that over 50 children had died in
Nnewi after they were administered with the vaccines, leading parents to rush
to the schools of their wards to withdraw them.
As early as 10am, most schools in
Anambra had sent their pupils home to join their parents, while others shut
their gate against visitors, to resist the attempt of anyone coming in to
immunize the children.
In one of the missionary schools,
the school management refused parents from picking up their wards, saying that
if the parents were allowed in, some children may go missing in the pandemonium
that would ensue.
It was however gathered that the
medical outreach was not for children but for elderly people, just as the Army
insisted that there was no truth in the rumour.
Colonel Musa Sagir told
journalists in a chat that the rumour was false. He stated that he was at the
venue of the supposed medical outreach, and that the rumour of dead children
was not true as no child had been immunized. He however promised to send in a
full press release to state the position of Military.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State
government has called for calm among citizens of the state, saying that there
was no truth in the rumour that soldiers were injecting children to death.
A press release signed by the
secretary to state government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu stated that the outreach
was a well intentioned exercise, but said that it was unfortunate that the
military did not announce the exercise or sensitize the people of the state
before arriving.
Part of the release reads, “The
attention of the State Government has been drawn to an on going medical
outreach being undertaken by the Army in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government
Area.
“The State has been made to
understand that the exercise is part of Army social responsibility to members
of the public.
“However, strong apprehension
among the populace has followed the exercise leading to withdrawal of students
from schools by parents, misconception of the actual motive behind the exercise
by stakeholders, community leaders and a general reservation by the public for
whom the outreach is intended.”
The SSG further said that because
of the unrest caused by the rumour, the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has
contacted the Army Authorities and advised for immediate stoppage of the
medical outreach until wide sensitization is conducted to reassure people of
its intentions and benefits. The exercise has therefore been put on hold.
He advised parents and guardians
to stop withdrawing their wards from schools as the situation has been handled.
He said all schools within the State will remain open as there was no cause for
alarm.
Chukwulobelu assured community
leaders, Presidents General and all stakeholders of the commitment of the
Governor and the State Government to the wellbeing of Ndi Anambra.
The State categorically refuted
allegations of death of any student anywhere in the State, warning ischief
makers to desist from spreading falsehood.
This people n proganda sha
ReplyDelete