BY RAPHAEL ONYEKACHUKWU, ENUGU – Pandemonium practically broke out in all public and private schools in Enugu state on Wednesday over alleged forced vaccination of school children with monkey pox viruses by Nigerian Army medical personnel.
Forefront correspondent reports that at about 11:57 am, many parents were since scampering to the various primary and secondary schools across the State to bring their children and wards back from their respective schools following the destructive rumours in the public space.
Some parents, who spoke to Forefront said they received calls from friends and even family members alleging that Nigerian Army are all over schools injecting pupils with the monkey pox virus as vaccination and that some pupils have died already.
One of the parents, Mrs Chinwe Oji said, “The caller, who was even in Anambra state, told me to immediately go and bring my children home because the Army personnel are in Enugu to execute the same evil plan.”
In less than 20 minutes, phone calls were going on everywhere. But while some schools refused their students going home before closing time, others easily cooperated with and obliged the parents’ request to go home with their children and wards. In schools like; Urban Girls Secondary and Metropolitan Secondary School among other, the stampede was visible with palpable fear in the public space following the rumour.
Although, there was no official reaction from the State government, a visit to the Enugu Government House confirms the suspicion as over 90 per cent of the staff were out of the their offices for impromptu school runs with some security personnel informing Forefront that many heads of school had called them to come and pick up their children from their schools.
Interestingly, Forefront however learnt, the story was the same across all states in the South-east zone. This is just as the Anambra State Government advised the Nigerian Army to immediately stop its on-going medical outreach in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area given widespread rumours of monkey pox virus vaccination
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu on Wednesday and made available to Forefront in Awka, said though the government has been made to understand that the exercise is part of Army social responsibility to members of the public, the current rumour makes it imperative to put it on hold for now.
According to the statement, “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.
“To this end and to ensure no further escalation of the situation, His Excellency the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has contacted the Army Authorities and advised an 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.
“Parents and guardians are strongly advised to stop withdrawing their wards from schools as the situation has been handled. All schools within the State will remain open as there is no cause for alarm! Community leaders, Presidents General and all Stakeholders are hereby reassured of the commitment of the Governor and the State Government to the wellbeing of Ndi Anambra,” Prof. Chukwulobelu said.
Meanwhile, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Sam Onwuemeodo in a release mailed to Forefront and titled ‘No monkey pox virus in Imo’, described the virus rumour as ‘wicked and unfounded’, and expressed concern that the development has unfortunately created undue anxiety in Owerri.
Onwuemeodo’s statement further said: “the state government wants to inform Imo people, in particular and the general public that the monkey pox virus is not in Imo and will never be in Imo in Jesus Name.
Noting that the Federal Government has named few states with one or two cases and others to be closely monitored, he said Imo State is not among any of the groups, warning that the wicked rumour mongers in the state will surely reap the ugly fruits of their repulsive acts.
“Again, no child or pupil or student has been immunized or is being immunized as being rumoured, because there is no need for such action. However, the government is on the alert and will take necessary action if the need arises and Imo people will duly be informed. But for now, there is no cause for any alarm. Imo is in the hand of God.”
Why are the hausa and the youruba not getting the same vaccines. Why target just the biafrians. Would you let someone who hates you immunize your child, no way it is a matter of trust! Don’t trust them. Just leave of us alone!!!